Filmmaker Keerthiswaran spoke about how working on his recently released movie Dude, starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju, altered his preconceived notions about what type of cinema works in theatres. Talking to Galatta Plus in a recent conversation, the filmmaker said that since he used to go to theatres regularly from his childhood, he felt that commercial cinema should be "a package" with the right mix of songs and action sequences. "But through the course of writing and making the film, I learnt that this is not enough and is not the case. What you feel in your mind, you can write it and customise it through a good song, fight or comedy sequences." The filmmaker also added that cinema is "not a proper business," similar to some "customer-oriented services" out there. According to the Dude director, it would become quite "pretentious" if filmmakers start to think about catering to the audience with typical commercial cinema formula elements and without customising an honest screenplay.

Dude tells the story of two cousins (Pradeep and Mamitha) who get into an event planning business. Things become complex when one of them proposes marriage to the other. The film marked Keerthiswaran's debut as a director. Released in the Diwali season, the film became a massive success at the global box office. It minted more than 100 crore from theatres worldwide and marked a third consecutive 100-crore-grosser for its lead actor Pradeep. Right now, Dude is streaming on Netflix.

In a recent conversation with The New Indian Express, the filmmaker also revealed that he has already started working on his next film. "Mostly by next year, everyone will know," he said without revealing the specific details about his project.