More than twenty years after capturing the restlessness of urban youth, the 2004 political action drama Yuva is making a comeback on the big screen. The film will be re-released in theatres on February 20, 2026, at PVR INOX cinemas.Actor Esha Deol announced the re-release in a heartfelt video message, calling the film “extremely close to my heart.” She fondly recalled working with acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam and co-stars Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, and Vivek Oberoi.
“Yuva was such a special journey for me,” she said, emphasizing how meaningful it is to be part of a youth-centric film that still resonates today. She also mentioned the Tamil version of the film, Aayutha Ezhuthu, which starred Suriya in one of the lead roles.Written, produced, and directed by Mani Ratnam, Yuva weaves together the stories of three young men in Kolkata, set against the backdrop of student politics, ambition, and moral dilemmas.
The ensemble cast also featured Rani Mukerji and Kareena Kapoor. The Tamil counterpart, Aayutha Ezhuthu, was filmed simultaneously but featured a different principal cast.Over the years, Yuva has achieved cult status, praised for its innovative narrative structure, A.R. Rahman’s memorable music, and Abhishek Bachchan’s gritty portrayal of Lallan Singh—often regarded as a turning point in his career. The film’s rights are currently held by Red Chillies Entertainment.
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Interestingly, Yuva’s theatrical return coincides with the release of Do Deewane Seher Mein, a new romantic film produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starring Siddhant Chaturvedi and Mrunal Thakur. February 20, 2026, will thus witness a generational face-off at the box office: a politically charged cult classic from 2004 alongside a fresh romantic offering stepping onto the big screen.
