Dude’s Interval Sequence Pays Tribute to Rajinikanth

Pradeep Ranganathan’s third film as a lead, Dude, directed by Keerthiswaran, released on Friday. The film opened to a good response at the box office. Reports suggest it collected around 20 crores on the opening day. Its two-day total stands at approximately 40 crores. The film is on track to become Pradeep Ranganathan’s third 100-crore grosser.

Apart from box office numbers, Dude has sparked discussions about the conflicts shown in the story. Some viewers appreciated the plot, while others found it less convincing. Among these discussions, one sequence in particular is attracting attention on social media.

The interval sequence, in which Pradeep Ranganathan’s character gestures and delivers lines, has reminded many fans of superstar Rajinikanth. Clips of the scene are widely shared online. Responding to this, director Keerthiswaran wrote on social media, “Yes. Dedicating this sequence to the star of stars.”

Before the film’s release, Keerthiswaran had explained in an interview that while writing the story, he imagined what Rajinikanth would be like at 30. When he discussed the idea with the producers, they asked who should play the lead. “When I mentioned Pradeep Ranganathan, he agreed after hearing the story,” the director shared.

Dude stars Pradeep Ranganathan, who is already known to Telugu audiences for his roles in Love Today and Dragon. The film is written and directed by Keerthiswaran, with music by Sai Abhyankkar. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, it released on October 17.