Tamil Star Pradeep Ranganathan's Dude Impresses with Surprise US Debut

As of October 14th, 2025, Tamil actor and director Pradeep Ranganathan's latest film Dude has made a surprising debut in the US market, earning $27,323 from advance bookings across 104 locations and 299 shows. This is an impressive start for the Tamil comedy, which is expected to gross over $100,000 on its premiere day.

Traditionally, the US market has preferred Hindi and Telugu films, but Dude's early performance suggests Pradeep Ranganathan's growing popularity among younger audiences. This follows the success of his 2022 directorial debut Love Today, which was later remade in Hindi as Loveyappa.

Dude's US debut is particularly noteworthy as only a few Tamil superstars like Rajinikanth and Thalapathy Vijay have managed to achieve huge openings in the North American market in the recent past. The film's modest but impressive performance, especially for a comedy without major action elements, reflects Pradeep's rising star power in the industry.

In fact, at one point, both Dude and Pradeep's upcoming film Love Insurance Kompany were eyeing the Diwali release, with Dude ultimately securing the slot. The young director's ability to draw audiences, both in India and overseas, is a testament to his talent and the appeal of his storytelling.