Why Pradeep Ranganthan rejected Dude initially: Main crux was shocker that I thought people would make comedy out of me
Pradeep Ranganthan's Dude is set to release on October 17 and is directed by Keerthiswaran. The film features Mamitha Baiju and Sarathkumar, with music by Sai Abhyankkar
Last Updated: 03.42 PM, Oct 08, 2025
Pradeep Ranganathan's next film Dude is set for festive release during the Diwali weekend. The film will hit theatres on October 17. Ahead of this, Pradeep revealed about how he had rejected Dude script a number of times, and gave a reason on how he found the story a 'shocker'.
Pradeep Ranganathan on rejecting doing Dude
After delivering blockbuster success Dragon earlier this year, Pradeep Rangananthan is coming with Dude for Diwali. Slated for theatrical release on October 17, Dude is helmed by debutant Keerthiswaran.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Pradeep revealed how he had rejected the script of Dude a couple of times. Keerthiswaran had contacted Pradeep through mutuals, and after mailing the synopsis to Pradeep, the latter found it as a shocker. “I told him a couple of times that I am not doing his film. Usually, I ask for synopsis to be mailed, and I read it. I replied no for it. There was one part, the main crux of the story was a shocker. I was thinking if people will take it in a good way or make comedy piece out of me. But it was interesting, at the same time I did not want to take romance. I was also doing LIK, which is romance so naturally I did not want to do the same genre."
Also read: Pradeep Ranganathan to have festive release with Dude; LIK out of Diwali race for this reason
However, Keerthiswaran had locked the producers who then reached out to Pradeep again. “No one will do this, because I rejected after reading the synopsis. I was curious to see this guy who kept coming back to me. I heard that he changed the script of Dude after watching Love Today.”
Subsequently, Pradeep said that Keerthiswaran had reminded himself of him, and added, "A few scenes and dialogues were running in my mind. I heard that he had okayed someone but wanted to meet me. We met and when I came to know that was getting pushed, I thought of doing it, if it okay with the other person. That is how Dude happened.”
Dude release date:
Dude is set to release in theatres on October 17. Starring Mamitha Baiju, Hriddhu Haroon, Sarathkumar, Rohini and others, the film has music by Sai Abhyankkar. Netflix has bagged the post-theatrical rights.
FAQs
Q. What is Pradeep Ranganathan's most successful movie?
A. Pradeep's latest film Dragon was commercially successful.
Q. What is the Dude movie about?
A. The plot of Dude has not yet been revealed.
Q. How much Pradeep Ranganathan earn per movie?
A. Pradeep's reported remuneration per film is Rs 10-12 crore.