Debut filmmaker Keerthiswaran, who previously assisted director Sudha Kongara for six to seven years on projects like Soorarai Pottru, is gearing up for the release of his first feature film, Dude. Starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju in the lead roles, the film is produced by Mythri Movie Makers and is scheduled for a massive Diwali release.
In a recent interview, Keerthiswaran revealed a surprising source of inspiration for the script: “I wrote this story imagining how a 30-year-old Rajinikanth would have acted in this role.” He felt that Pradeep Ranganathan perfectly fit this vision, and the actor readily agreed to the project. The film centers around the lead pair, who run an event management company, with the entire shoot taking place in Chennai.
Keerthiswaran emphasized that Dude is not just a love story. He stated, “It’s not just a love film, but will have all the commercial elements placed in the right mix… it blends love and mass elements perfectly.” He assures that the film is a complete entertainer, meticulously crafted in terms of costume, location, and visuals.
Mamitha Baiju’s Selection and the Rajini-Sridevi Analogy
Speaking about the casting of actress Mamitha Baiju, Keerthiswaran mentioned that he selected her after watching her performance in Super Saranya, well before the massive success of her film Premalu. He drew a grand parallel, noting that the on-screen combination of Pradeep and Mamitha “reminded me of Rajini-Sridevi,” suggesting a vibrant and engaging chemistry.
The director expressed his excitement about the film’s grand release. “My first film as a director releasing for Diwali feels like a dream come true,” he shared.
The technical team, including cinematographer Niketh Bommi and editor Barath Vikraman, is hailed by the director as a huge asset. The film’s music is composed by Sai Abhyankkar, whom the director praised for his innovative approach. The collective youth of the cast (Pradeep Ranganathan, Mamitha Baiju) and crew (Keerthiswaran, Sai Abhyankkar) has led many to label it a ‘Gen Z film.’ However, the director clarified, “This will be an entertainer that both the youth of today and family audiences will watch and celebrate.” The film also features veteran actors like Sarathkumar and Rohini, alongside Dravid Selvam.
Music Success and Distribution Changes
The film’s songs have already garnered significant online buzz. Recently, the third single, ‘Singari’, was released, marking Pradeep Ranganathan’s debut as a singer. The actor-director lent his voice to the peppy romantic number, which has lyrics by Sanjay Semvi. A promotional video for the song humorously depicted composer Sai Abhyankkar struggling to get Pradeep to sing, highlighting the lighthearted rapport of the team. Pradeep thanked the composer for his patience, saying he thoroughly enjoyed the process.
In a recent development, the distribution rights for Dude in Tamil Nadu, which were initially with Romeo Pictures, are reportedly undergoing a change. AGS Entertainment is currently in talks to acquire the rights, with a deal expected to be finalized within a couple of days.
The film is set for an October 17th release, where it will face a box office clash with other major titles, including another Pradeep Ranganathan starrer, Love Insurance Kompany, and Mari Selvaraj-Dhruv Vikram’s Bison Kaalamaadan. Dude will also be released in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi, making it a pan-Indian venture for Mythri Movie Makers.
