The young talent Pradeep Ranganathan is charting an unprecedented course in the Tamil film industry, where each of his major projects seems to introduce him in a brand new avatar. The social media buzz around his latest film, Dude, highlights this remarkable trend. After his debut as a Director with Comali (2019) and his breakout as a leading Hero with the industry-shaking success of Love Today (2022), the multi-talented artist has now added ‘playback singer’ to his profile. He is now celebrated for a “3rd DEBUT”—a title a fan post proudly claimed—with his upcoming release, cementing his reputation as an artist constantly challenging his own boundaries.
‘Singari’ Ignites DudeDiwali Buzz with a New Voice
The latest source of excitement is the third single from the film Dude, an energetic romantic track titled ‘Singari,’ composed by Sai Abhyankkar. This song is particularly notable as it features Pradeep Ranganathan’s own vocals for the first time in his career. The actor expressed his genuine delight on social media, thanking composer Sai Abhyankkar for the opportunity and his patience, stating, “I had sooo much fun singing this. Sai you were sooo sweeett… patiently teaching me things ❤️❤️ Thanks again macha 🤗.” The song has been well-received, with fans appreciating his voice’s suitability for the track’s “local-style, cool super romantic” vibe, further amplifying the pre-release hype for the film.
Controversy Surrounds Visuals: A ‘Dude’ or a Dare?
Beyond the music, a specific visual element from the ‘Singari’ song’s promotional material and lyrical video has dominated social media discussions: a brief scene featuring Pradeep Ranganathan sharing a kiss with a dog. This unconventional and surprising moment has triggered a wave of polarizing reactions across platforms. While a segment of fans has been quick to “praise the actor’s guts to accept the scene,” calling it a “bold” move that fits the film’s youthful and rebellious aesthetic, it has also sparked controversy as the unconventional visual choice has successfully thrust the film into a viral spotlight, generating an immense amount of promotional buzz just weeks before its release.
A Star-Studded Clash Awaits This Diwali
Dude, a romantic action-comedy written and directed by debutant Keerthiswaran—a former assistant to acclaimed director Sudha Kongara—is produced by the celebrated production house Mythri Movie Makers. The film, which co-stars the Premalu fame Mamitha Baiju alongside veteran actor R. Sarathkumar in a pivotal role, is scheduled for a grand festive release on October 17, 2025. The movie is set to be a major pan-Indian release, hitting screens in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. Its theatrical debut, branded as #DudeDiwali, will see it lock horns at the box office with other major releases, including another Pradeep Ranganathan-headlined film, Love Insurance Kompany (LIK), directed by Vignesh Shivan, alongside Dhruv Vikram’s Bison and Harish Kalyan’s Diesel, ensuring a highly competitive and exciting festive season for South Indian cinema.
