‘Dude’ Review: Pradeep and Mamitha bring life to a film that stumbles at times

Pradeep Ranganathan has always had a knack for finding humour in awkwardness, and 'Dude', directed by Keerthiswaran, gives him the perfect playground to do just that. The film opens with a message that tries to go beyond the surface - it’s not about the thali, but about the woman behind it. That thought lingers briefly before the movie takes off into a lively, fast-paced mix of romance, comedy, and melodrama.

Pradeep plays Agan, a carefree prankster who runs a company that pulls off surprise stunts for clients, though most of them blur the line between fun and chaos. Beneath his “chill dude” exterior, Agan is a man nursing heartbreak, one who’s trying to laugh through his pain rather than confront it. Mamitha Baiju plays Kural, Agan’s cousin who also happens to be in love with him. Together, they share a chemistry that feels natural. It’s the kind of on-screen dynamic that makes you root for them even when the writing doesn’t quite hold up.

There’s something refreshingly grounded about Mamitha’s performance. She’s not just the token “cute heroine” that Tamil cinema often churns out. Mamitha makes Kural feel like someone you might actually know. There’s a warmth in the way she talks, the way she looks at Agan, and even in her small silences. Nothing about her feels forced, and that honesty is what keeps you watching her. Pradeep, on the other hand, carries the entire film with the easy charisma of a born entertainer. You can see glimpses of the charm once associated with younger versions of Suriya or Vijay; that mix of relatability, wit, and vulnerability. He doesn’t need punch dialogues or stylised slow-motion shots to make you smile.

That said, 'Dude' is not without its bumps. Keerthiswaran’s direction keeps the film moving briskly, sometimes too briskly for its own good. Within the first half hour, you get the set-up, a love triangle, heartbreak, and even a musical detour. Everything happens at such speed that the emotional beats barely have time to land. The story touches upon a serious issue - honour killing, but the treatment is uneven. The tone swings between lighthearted comedy and moments that should have carried more gravity. The film wants to say something meaningful, but often gets distracted by the need to entertain.

Sarathkumar appears as Mamitha’s father, a powerful minister whose arc could have added real depth to the story. Unfortunately, the character feels underwritten, existing more as a device than a person. Many of his actions feel designed only to create obstacles for Agan and Kural, rather than arising naturally from who he is. The tension between tradition, love, and reputation, a space where Tamil cinema has often excelled, never quite reaches its full potential here. It’s like watching something that keeps hinting at a storm but never lets it rain.

Still, 'Dude' manages to stay watchable because of its energy. Sai Abhyankkar’s music gives the film a strong pulse, with “Oorum Blood” standing out as a catchy earworm you’ll find yourself humming long after the credits roll. Niketh Bommi’s visuals make the film easy on the eyes. The colours feel fresh and inviting, and even the most ordinary scenes have a certain warmth that draws you in.

There are also small, sincere moments that stick. One tender exchange between Pradeep and Mamitha, stripped of all the noise and humour, reminds you that beneath the chaos, the film is trying to talk about love and fate. Those flashes of emotion give 'Dude' its heart.

In the end, 'Dude' works best when it stops trying too hard. When it lets its leads simply exist, laugh, hurt and connect, it feels genuinely engaging.

The film doesn’t quite balance its heavier themes with its comic tone, and its pacing leaves some threads hanging. But for a younger crowd looking for a breezy entertainer with a relatable core, 'Dude' is still worth a watch. It’s far from perfect, but with Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju steering it, the ride stays fun, colourful, and heartfelt enough to keep you smiling.