Since its release, Pradeep Ranganathan's third outing as an actor, Dude, has been receiving polarising reviews. While some have been praising the film for its progressive ideas, others have been condemning its messaging. Director Mohan G was the first to raise a point against the film's overall message. Now director Bhagyaraj has joined the club.
In Dude, Pradeep Ranganathan says a woman's feelings are more important than the 'thali', or nuptial chain, that Indian women usually adorn after their wedding. Condemning this idea, Bhagyaraj reportedly said, "Usually, both men and women have their own pasts and life journeys. But when they come together in marriage, a phase marked by commitment and companionship, the thali ritual holds deep significance. It symbolises the beginning of a fresh, shared journey, where both partners leave behind their pasts and step into a new chapter together. I am not sure who wrote the dialogue in Dude, but I am against the negative portrayal of the thali."
Previously, Mohan G criticised the second half of the film, which portrays Pradeep marrying Mamitha Baiju despite her being pregnant with Hridhu Haroon's child and later also telling the world that it is his child. "He seems to have tried to normalise and justify the film’s ideas, but the events of the second half feel highly unrealistic. It’s disturbing to see a child—who isn’t the hero’s own—being given his initial, and even more so that such behaviour is accepted within the family," he said.
Also starring Sarath Kumar and Dravid Selvam, Dude recently crossed Rs 100 crores in its box office collections, marking a third for Pradeep Ranganathan after Love Today and Dragon. Sai Abhyankkar composed music for the film, making his Tamil debut. The film backed by Mythiri Movie Makers marks the directorial debut of Keerthiswaran.
