Director Keerthiswaran’s debut film Dude, starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju, continues to perform steadily at the box office, crossing the ₹30 crore mark within its first three days of release. Released on Friday across Tamil and Telugu theatres, the coming-of-age rom-com has benefited from strong audience turnout and the festive boost from the ongoing Diwali celebrations.

According to trade analyst website Sacnilk, Dude earned ₹10.17 crore on its third day, bringing its cumulative collection to ₹30.22 crore. On Sunday, the film recorded an overall 52.75% occupancy in Tamil Nadu, reflecting sustained interest among moviegoers.

The film had opened to a strong start on Friday, earning ₹9.75 crore—₹6.5 crore from Tamil screenings and ₹3.25 crore from Telugu theatres. On Saturday, it saw a modest 5.64% growth, collecting ₹10.3 crore, with Tamil contributing ₹7.4 crore and Telugu ₹2.9 crore. These figures indicate steady traction, aided in part by word-of-mouth promotion and the festive holiday period, which typically drives larger family audiences to cinemas.

Dude has already surpassed the opening collections of Pradeep Ranganathan’s previous films. His 2024 release Love Today had opened at ₹2.45 crore, while Dragon recorded an opening of ₹6.5 crore. In comparison, Dude also earned ₹3.89 crore from advance bookings, reflecting strong pre-release anticipation. For Mamitha Baiju, her other recent release, Premalu, opened at ₹90 lakh, and both films are expected to see further growth depending on audience response.

The film, produced by Mythri Movie Makers, features a cast led by Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju, supported by Sarathkumar, Sai Abhyankkar, and Hridhu Haroon. Marketed as a contemporary rom-com tailored to the digital generation, Dude chronicles the journey of a lively young protagonist navigating love, friendship, and self-discovery in modern-day Chennai. The narrative is supported by Sai Abhyankkar’s music, a youthful visual style, and a relatable Gen-Z vibe aimed at capturing the pulse of young audiences.

On social media, Dude has elicited mixed reactions. Some viewers appreciated its humour, relatable characters, and modern approach to romance, while others critiqued it for missing its full potential. Several users on X (formerly Twitter) compared the film to Thalapathy Vijay’s 2001 romantic drama Shahjahan, calling it a “Gen-Z version” of the classic, highlighting its attempt to adapt familiar romantic tropes for a younger, digital-savvy audience.

Trade analysts note that Dude’s performance is significant not only for its collections but also for establishing Pradeep Ranganathan as a filmmaker capable of capturing contemporary youth culture. Its success over the initial weekend, particularly during the competitive Diwali period, positions the film as one of the early hits of the festive season, with potential for further growth based on positive word of mouth and audience engagement over the coming weeks.

With steady daily collections and a festive boost, Dude has proven to be a promising debut for director Keerthiswaran and a commercially successful venture for its lead cast and production house. Its performance also underscores the increasing audience appetite for youth-centric narratives that blend romance, comedy, and relatable social dynamics in the current cinematic landscape.