Pradeep Ranganathan's latest flick, 'Dude', a romantic action comedy directed by newcomer Keerthiswaran, has burst onto the scene in a big way, pretty quickly establishing itself as a must-watch. The film, which also stars Mamitha Baiju and Sarathkumar in key roles, has got the critics and the crowds doing a bit of a mixed bag with their reactions - they're mostly raving about the young energy and the way the lead pair just click, though.
The Good Stuff: A Whirlwind of Youthful Energy and a First Half that Really Works
At the heart of 'Dude' is a fast-paced, frenetic narrative that really hits the spot in the first half. The movie centres on Agan (Pradeep Ranganathan) and Kural (Mamitha Baiju), cousins who've been pals since they were kids and run an event-planning business together. People have been saying the early bits of the film are a wild ride and a total hoot, and they just about nail the beats of a classic rom-com just right.
Pradeep Ranganathan puts in a performance that's basically the lifeblood of the film, and it's no surprise, given his quirky style and boy-next-door charm are part of what makes this movie tick. And given how well 'Love Today' and 'Dragon' did for him before, it looks like he's tapped in really well to what the Gen-Z crowd loves. Mamitha Baiju is great as Kural, too - she brings a real authenticity to the character and has some seriously good chemistry with Pradeep, which really adds to the romance. The rest of the cast is pretty cool too, especially Sarathkumar, who is wise and funny as Kural's dad. Not to mention he injects a bit of real emotional depth - nice work.
The film also takes a stab at dealing with a pretty big issue, but with a wacky sense of humour that just might surprise some people. That's actually a pretty cool thing for a big commercial movie to be doing. On the tech side of things, the visuals from Niketh Bommi are are solid, and Sai Abhyankkar's score really does get the film's energetic, lively tone just right.
Where 'Dude' Falters: Pacing and the Screenplay
While the first half is what most people are raving about, the second half's got some mixed reviews. Some folks have pointed out that the pace really drops off, and the screenplay gets a bit muddled with too many subplots. A few critics said that the film tries to cover too many bases - comedy, romance and drama - and that sometimes it feels all over the shop.
And while it's really cool that 'Dude' is trying to be progressive and more feminine, some people were a bit underwhelmed by the end result - some plot points, like the fact that the lead characters are cousins, don't feel as fresh as they could've been. Also, while Pradeep's style is part of what makes this film so fun, a few critics thought he went a bit too far sometimes - his mannerisms feel like they get a bit over-the-top.
Verdict and Box Office
'Dude' is a "one time watch" - a fun, entertaining ride with a fresh voice from debut director Keerthiswaran. The comedy, music and the energy of the lead actors make up for the second half writing.
The audience response, especially among the youth, has been super positive and that has translated to a huge box office. The film has collected over ₹100 crore in 6 days and Pradeep Ranganathan has a hat-trick of ₹100 crore films and is now one of the fastest rising and bankable stars in Kollywood.
Overall, 'Dude' is a Diwali blockbuster that gives you a fun, youth oriented movie experience with the lead pair and new age storytelling.