Movie Name : DUDE
Release Date : Oct 17, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Pradeep Ranganathan, Mamitha Baiju, R.Sarath Kumar, Hridhu Haroon, Rohini, Aishwarya Sharma, Dravid Selvam
Director : Keerthiswaran
Producers : Naveen Yerneni, Y Ravi shankar
Music Director : Sai Abhyankkar
Cinematographer : Niketh Bommi
Editor : Barath Vikraman
Related Links : Trailer
After scoring back to back blockbusters with Love Today and Dragon, Pradeep Ranganathan is back with another entertainer, Dude. The film stars Mamitha Baiju as the female lead. Let’s see how it is.
Story:
Gagan (Pradeep Ranganathan) is heartbroken youngster, who along with his cousin Kundhana (Mamitha Baiju) runs an event management company. One day Kundhana confesses her feelings for Gagan but later their lives a different turn because of the impulsive decisions taken by them. What happens next forms the crux of the story.
Plus Points:
Pradeep Ranganathan is turning out to be one of the finest entertainers of this generation. With Dude, he once again captivates and amuses with his impeccable comic timing, histrionics, and uncanny mannerisms. The way he portrays frustration evokes laughter, and he brings the roof down with the hilarious interval episode.
Veteran actor Sarathkumar delivers a solid performance and is one of the pillars of Dude. The details of his character are kept under wraps, making him a surprise package. His role carries two distinct shades, and Sarathkumar aced them to perfection.
Mamitha Baiju is impressive in a role that holds significance to the story. Her scenes with Pradeep Ranganathan came out well and the duo shared an impressive chemistry. The first half is largely engaging. Though it starts on a slow note, the film gains momentum steadily, and the extended interval sequence will leave the audience in splits.
Minus Points:
After a fine first half, the momentum dips in the second as the movie takes a different route. The entertainment quotient drops as the narrative shifts toward emotion and attempts to convey an important message. Though the intention is clear, the emotional impact doesn’t land as effectively as intended.
As Pradeep Ranganathan mentioned repeatedly in the promotional interviews, the way his role is written carries an element of risk and may not appeal to everyone. While Pradeep, the entertainer, keeps the audience engaged, his character’s behavior in the second half is bound to draw mixed reactions. Also, Dude will likely remind viewers of Allu Arjun’s popular film.
Technical Aspects:
Sai Abhyankkar’s music is lively, and his background score is effective too. The Boom Boom song is neatly utilized in crucial moments, enhancing the experience. The cinematography by Niketh Bommi is impressive, and the production values by Mythri Movie Makers are pretty good. The frames look rich and colorful, especially in the songs. The editing is satisfactory.
Coming to director Keerthiswaran, he did a decent job with his debut and largely succeeded in providing entertainment. However, some developments in the plot happen too quickly, and this is something Keerthiswaran needs to work on a bit.
Verdict:
On the whole, Dude is a watchable entertainer that also conveys an important message. The film has a captivating first half with ample fun moments, while the second half takes a completely different turn. Even though the latter hour portions might not connect with everyone, the film stays afloat thanks to Pradeep Ranganathan’s entertaining show and ends up offering a decent experience. The film’s success range depends on how the audiences receive the second half.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team