Yuva Rajkumar's debut film with Hombale Films to go on floors on Puneeth Rajkumar's birth anniversary?

Puneeth Rajkumar's upcoming birth anniversary on the 17th of March holds a lot of importance for Sandalwood and the fans alike. The late superstar would have turned 48 on the day had it not been for the fatal cardiac arrest that tragically took his life on October 29th, 2021, leaving behind millions in sheer agony. However, the same birth anniversary has also lent an opportunity for the industry to come together and celebrate his legacy in myriad forms: director/producer of Kabzaa, the most awaited pan-Indian Kannada film, recently stated that he is bringing his film out in theatres on March 17th as a special gift to Puneeth Rajkumar.

Now, in the same vein, we hear that Puneeth's nephew Yuva Rajkumar is gearing up to start his journey as an actor on the same day. Yuva is slated to make his debut under the direction of Santhosh Ananddram with Hombale Films bankrolling the project. Tentatively titled 'Yuva 01', the commercial entertainer has been in development for quite some time with most recent reports stating that the film was expected to go on floors in February 2023. However, a few noted industry trackers have now revealed that the team is keen on kicking things off on March 17 and venturing into the new project on the auspicious occasion of Puneeth Rajkumar's 48th birth anniversary. The makers, however, are yet to confirm or deny these reports.

Yuva Rajkumar was initially slated to make his debut with a period project titled Yuva Ranadheera Kanteerava with debutant Puneeth Rudranag at the helm. The team had even unveiled a short promo or launch video more than two years but the project was back-burnered soon after for reasons unknown. Yuva Rajkumar then joined forces with Hombale Films and Santhosh Ananddram for a film that is yet to be titled. 

Santhosh Ananddram, on the other hand, who has previously collaborated with Hombale on Raajakumara and Yuvarathnaa, has the Jaggesh-starrer Raghavendra Stores up for release this year. The comedy-drama, which, too, is a Hombale Films production, was initially scheduled to release on August 5 but the same was deferred due to unknown reasons with speculations of a direct-to-OTT release now doing the rounds.