What Dude Gets Right — And What It Doesn’t

Chennai, October 25, 2025: The new Tamil movie “Dude” is the talk of the town. Starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju, the film has made a lot of money. It has crossed the ₹100 crore mark. People are packing cinemas to watch it.

But is the movie really that good? Audiences and critics are divided. The film is a romantic comedy, but it also tries to talk about big social issues. It is directed by debutant Keerthiswaran.

“Dude” gets many things right. But it also gets many things wrong. Let’s take a look.

What ‘Dude’ Gets Right

The Fresh Lead Pair

The best part of the movie is the hero and heroine. Pradeep Ranganathan (who was a hit in “Love Today”) is full of energy. He has a “boy-next-door” charm that audiences love. He is natural and very good at comedy.

Mamitha Baiju (from “Premalu”) is also excellent. She gives a very real and grounded performance. Together, their chemistry is fresh and fun to watch. Many people are saying they are the main reason to see the film.

An Entertaining First Half

Almost everyone agrees that the first half of “Dude” is fantastic. It is fast, funny, and full of youthful energy. The story is set up in a clever way. The jokes land well. The songs are good. The time before the interval is particularly strong. It makes you excited for the rest of the movie.

Trying to Mix Fun and Social Issues

“Dude” is not just a simple love story. The director tries to talk about serious topics. The story touches on issues like caste, family honor, and a woman’s right to choose. In a big “mass” movie, it is good to see a team try to add some “meaning.” This effort is a positive point.

Good Supporting Actors

The film also has strong performances from its supporting cast. R. Sarathkumar, who plays Mamitha’s father, is very powerful in his role. He adds a lot of weight to the story.

What ‘Dude’ Gets Wrong

A Disappointing Second Half

The biggest problem with “Dude” is the second half. After a very strong start, the movie becomes slow and predictable. The story loses its energy. What was fresh and fun becomes old and boring. Many people felt let down after the interval. The writing feels lazy in the second part.

Confused Messaging

While the film tries to talk about big issues, it gets very confused. For example, there is a lot of talk about the “thaali” (the holy marriage thread). The movie tries to say a woman’s feelings are more important. But the way it shows this has made many people angry or confused. It seems to disrespect marriage traditions without giving a clear new idea.

It also talks about serious things like honor killing. But these topics feel like they were not handled with care. They get lost in the messy story.

Old and Problematic Ideas

The main love story is between two people who are first cousins. In 2025, many viewers find this idea very old and uncomfortable. The film presents it as normal. This has been a big point of criticism. It feels like a very backward step for a “modern” movie.

An Uneven Film

In the end, “Dude” feels like two different movies. One is a fun, fresh rom-com. The other is a preachy, confused social drama. The two parts do not fit together. The sharp editing and fun comedy from the first half are gone by the end.

Final Word

So,

Should you watch “Dude”?

It is a “one-time watch” for most people. You can watch it for the great performances by Pradeep and Mamitha. You will enjoy the comedy and energy of the first half.

But do not expect a perfect film. It is a movie with a good heart that fails to deliver on its big promises. It is a box office hit, but it leaves you with very mixed feelings.