Dude review: A stylish start fizzles in the second half
Dude review by Kausalya Rachavelpula
A Strong First Half with Real Swag
The first half of the film is an absolute winner. It has confidence, energy, and an engaging story that keeps you fully involved. The writing is crisp, the scenes are smartly built, and the emotions are easy to connect with. It’s stylish, relevant, and packed with entertainment.
Pradeep Ranganathan once again shows why his choice of stories stands out. His performance has that unique charm that only a few actors can carry. He has his own signature style, in the way he moves, talks, and holds the screen. It’s clear he enjoys creating a space for himself in romantic comedies with a stylish twist, and this film begins exactly in that direction.
Mamitha Baiju is a delight to watch. She brings innocence and natural emotion to her role, making every scene of hers shine. Hridhu Haroon too does a fine job. It’s refreshing to see him back on screen, and he fits well into the story with ease and grace.
A Familiar but Promising Story
The film’s base is familiar, a casteist father standing in the way of his daughter’s love for a man from another caste, and the hero trying to help them marry even if it means sacrificing his own love. It’s not a new theme, but the way the first half handles it feels modern and refreshing.
The screenplay in the beginning is smooth and easy to follow. The scenes flow naturally, the humour lands well, and the emotional moments feel real. There’s a surprise element that unfolds towards the end of the first half, adding weight to the story. At this point, it seems like the film is heading towards something both powerful and emotional.
Sarath Kumar, who had appeared quite stiff in his recent performances, gives a better performance here. His expressions are varied and believable, showing that he still has the range to play layered characters.
A Weak and Imbalanced Second Half
Sadly, the second half does not live up to the promise of the first. The film takes a different direction altogether, almost the opposite of what it built up earlier. The tone shifts sharply, and the storytelling loses its balance.
The villain’s sudden change in just about an hour feels forced. Instead of showing a proper transformation arc, the film simply rushes into a “safe” happy and massy ending with fights and drama. Important emotional beats, like why the father changes his mind, are skipped or underdeveloped. This weakens the impact of the story.
The screenplay in the second half is uneven. Some scenes are unnecessarily intense, while others feel flat and without energy. It’s as if the makers didn’t quite know how to keep the same magic alive after the interval.
Performances and Music Shine
Even though the writing dips in the second half, the performances keep the film alive. Pradeep Ranganathan’s screen presence remains strong. Mamitha Baiju’s expressions continue to be a highlight, and Hridhu Haroon impresses as a promising actor. Sarath Kumar does well too, showing more emotional range than in his recent work.
The music by Sai Abhyankar deserves special mention. The melodies are beautiful and stay in your mind long after the film ends. The background score adds the right amount of energy during the hero’s high points, enhancing the overall cinematic experience.
Missed Potential
What began as a stylish and emotionally strong film ends up feeling rushed and uneven. The second half repeats elements from the first but without the same depth or clarity. The lack of a convincing arc for the villain’s transformation makes the ending feel unearned.
Still, the film has several good moments, thanks to its cast and music. If only the second half had matched the strength of the first, this could have been a memorable romantic drama with a powerful social message.
Dude review: A stylish, entertaining first half with strong performances and good music is let down by a weak and unbalanced second half. The film plays it safe towards the end, losing some of the impact it built up earlier.
Dude review Fridaywall Rating: 2.5/5
