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Dude Movierulz - Dude focuses on Agan (Pradeep Ranganathan) and Kural (Mamitha Baiju) - two cousins who are as thick as thieves and run a surprise party business together - and at the core of this story is the blossoming romance between them. Kural has been carrying a torch for Agan, and finally plucks up the courage to let him know how she feels, only to get shot down in the most gentle of ways. Agan just sees her as his buddy, leaving Kural to pick up the pieces of her heart.
As one would expect, the tables are turned and Agan suddenly realises his deep & true love for Kural.
The main plot however gets a twist when Agan tries to win her back, only to find that Kural's moved on to a new guy, Paari (Hridhu Haroon) and is pregnant. As if fate or maybe the scriptwriters have conspired to make things more complicated, Agan's dad, Athiyamaan (a pretty fantastic Sarathkumar), is a powerful politician with some very strong, outdated views on caste - and before anyone can stop him, he's arranged a wedding between Agan & Kural. With this, the tone of the film, which was initially a fun rom-com, takes a sharp turn into a real nail-biter of a drama. One where Agan is forced to think of his loved ones & put the needs of others before his own desires and societal expectations.
The Cast Blew Me Away: Pradeep Shines & Mamitha & Sarathkumar Steal the Show
Pradeep Ranganathan is the glue that holds the film together, with a lead performance that has him switching from goofy to heartbreakingly authentic in a blink of an eye. His timing in the more lighthearted moments still gets a laugh out of you, even as he drills deep into Agan's vulnerabilities. You genuinely feel for him as he transitions from a pretty carefree guy in the first half to an emotionally drained hero in the second.
Mamitha Baiju is just a delight as Kural. She brings so much depth & nuance to the character that it's easy to see Kural's journey from rejected lover to a woman with a plan for her life - and Mamitha's got the range to pull it off. The chemistry she shares with Pradeep is plain to see, and is by far the highlight of the movie.
Sarathkumar, a seasoned actor, is excellent as Athiyamaan - a man who on the surface seems all smiles but actually believes in a rather outdated notion of caste. While some of his character's actions felt a bit contrived near the climax, you still can't help but feel his presence raises the stakes.
Direction, Music & The Pacing Issues
Director Keerthiswaran, who is making his debut, handles the younger crowd with ease. The first half is full of great writing & plenty of memorable sequences - and he gets the tone spot on.
However, things take a turn for the worse when he tries to cram in too many different genres. The script, especially after things take a dramatic turn, feels like it's being stretched a bit too thin. The shift into serious topics like honour killings & women's reproductive choices is admirable & even a bit commendable - but it struggles to find its footing between the film's youthful, lighthearted tone & the heavy themes.
Technically though, the film is top-notch. Sai Abhyankkar's music is just tremendous - his songs are already smash hits, and the background score just complements Pradeep's on-screen energy perfectly. Niketh Bommi's cinematography is also just fantastic - it's got a vibe that really draws you in & keeps you engaged.