The Diwali box office has turned lively with several films hitting theatres. Among them, Dude, starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju, has taken a clear lead. Released in Telugu by Mythri Movie Makers after a string of Tamil hits, the film has connected strongly with family audiences, especially Gen-Z viewers, according to the makers.
Within just three days, the film has earned more than ₹66 crore worldwide. The production team released an official poster showing these impressive figures, declaring the movie a Diwali weekend winner. Trade circles have noted that the holiday period has brought strong bookings, and the film’s collections are expected to grow further in the coming days.
The performance is being described as the biggest first weekend grosser in Pradeep Ranganathan’s career so far. With the festival holidays boosting viewership, industry experts believe that ‘Dude’ could become the fastest ₹100 crore grosser for the young star.
Directed by Keerthiswaran, the film has received praise for Pradeep’s acting and the music by Sai Abhyankar, which have been called major highlights. Choosing the perfect festival timing for the release appears to have worked well for the makers.
This Diwali, four films with different styles and stories arrived at the box office. Although competition was tough, ‘Dude’ seems to have captured most of the audience’s attention. With strong family appeal and a young hero at its heart, the film has turned into a festive season blockbuster.
As the holiday run continues, everyone is watching to see how many more records ‘Dude’ will break. If current trends hold, this could mark a major turning point in Pradeep Ranganathan’s Telugu film journey.
