Santhosh Ananddram to launch Yuva Rajkumar; official announcement on April 24?

According to reports, Raajakumara and Yuvarathnaa maker Santhosh Ananddram will direct the launchpad of Yuva Rajkumar, the younger son of Raghavendra Rajkumar. An official announcement of the same is expected on April 24, the birth anniversary of the late matinee idol Dr Rajkumar, Yuva’s grandfather.

Yuva was earlier supposed to be launched with a project called Yuva Ranadheera Kanteerava, to be directed by debutant Puneeth Rudranag. A first look poster of Yuva had been unveiled at the time, but there has been no development on that front since, with reports suggesting that this project has been stalled. Instead, the actor, who has been training for his big screen debut for a while, is supposedly collaborating with Santhosh, who made two of his late uncle Puneeth Rajkumar’s biggest hits, Raajakumara and Yuvarathnaa. Apparently, a photo shoot for the official announcement has already been done.

Both Santhosh and Yuva have not confirmed or denied these reports, but according to reports a source close to the duo has said that an official announcement will be made on the birth anniversary of Dr Rajkumar, April 24. The report further adds that a major Kannada film production house known for producing multiple pan-India films will back Yuva's debut as well. Rumour has it that it could be Hombale Films, given that Santhosh has already done three films with the banner, including the upcoming Jaggesh starrer Raghavendra Stores, Raajakumara and Yuvarathnaa. The banner also had a long association with the late Power Star, who starred in their first film ever, Ninnindale and followed it up with two more before his untimely demise in October last year. Puneeth was, in fact, committed to start another, Dvitva, with the banner, which, unfortunately did not take off.

Meanwhile, the report states that Yuva has signed a multiple film deal with the production house.