Pradeep Ranganathan on Diwali Clash, Rajinikanth's Praise & Future | InFocus | THR India

In this candid conversation on The Hollywood Reporter India's InFocus series, host Anupama Chopra sits down with Tamil cinema's rising star Pradeep Ranganathan in a luxurious Chennai hotel suite. Pradeep opens up about his upcoming Diwali releases - the romantic comedy Dude and the sci-fi romance Love Insurance Kompany - revealing how scheduling conflicts were resolved to avoid a box-office clash. The actor-director shares intimate details about his journey from IT professional to filmmaker, his childhood admiration for Rajinikanth, and his recent singing debut in Dude.

The interview delves deep into Pradeep's creative process, from his hands-on approach to selecting scripts based on market viability to his future plans for a science fiction directorial venture. He reflects on the success of Dragon and his previous blockbuster Love Today, while discussing the challenges of maintaining relatability despite growing fame. Particularly touching are his revelations about his family's initial skepticism about his career change, his father's journey from disapproval to pride, and the validation he received when Rajinikanth praised his work and mimicked his style from Dragon.