‘Dude’ Director Under Fire for Alleged Response to Sexism Allegations

New Delhi, November 22, 2025: The successful box office run of the Tamil romantic-comedy ‘Dude’, starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju, has been overshadowed by a fresh wave of controversy following its OTT release on Netflix on November 14, 2025. Directed by debutant Keerthiswaran, the film, a Diwali blockbuster that crossed the ₹100 crore mark, is now facing intense public scrutiny, particularly concerning a controversial dialogue and the director’s alleged response to criticism.

The Scene That Sparked Outrage

The main point of contention revolves around a specific scene where the male lead, Agan (Pradeep Ranganathan), makes a comment to the female lead, Kural (Mamitha Baiju), who is kneeling to propose. Agan’s dialogue, which roughly translates to, “Why are you sitting in a position usually seen in a pornographic movie?”, immediately drew fire from audiences.

Netizens and film critics alike swiftly called out the dialogue as vulgar, sexist, and deeply offensive to women, questioning its necessity in a film that otherwise focuses on modern relationships and family dynamics. The dialogue was criticized for normalizing and trivializing misogynistic language, especially in a context that should have been romantic.

Director’s Alleged ‘Dismissive’ Response Amplifies Flak

The initial criticism intensified dramatically when a screenshot of an alleged direct message (DM) exchange between Director Keerthiswaran and a social media user went viral. The user had messaged the director, expressing their concern about the controversial scene and requesting him to avoid such content in future projects.

Keerthiswaran’s purported reply was widely deemed dismissive and arrogant. In the now-viral screenshot, the director allegedly told the user to “go and get a life.” This response did not address the substance of the criticism regarding women’s representation but instead attacked the critic, fueling the outrage further. Social media platforms have since been flooded with comments, with users criticizing the director’s perceived lack of sensitivity and refusal to engage maturely with valid audience feedback.

Broader Debate on Representation and Success

The controversy has opened up a larger debate about the responsibility of filmmakers, particularly when dealing with sensitive social issues and women’s portrayal in popular cinema. While Keerthiswaran had previously addressed other controversial aspects of the film’s dialogues, such as a line on honor killing (which he clarified was inspired by a real-life tragedy), this particular issue regarding the sexist comment and his subsequent alleged response remains a major talking point.

Despite its commercial success and strong viewership on Netflix, the backlash is a strong reminder that box-office numbers do not equate to universal acceptance, especially on matters of social and gender sensitivity. The incident highlights the power of the internet and OTT platforms in amplifying critical scrutiny that continues long after a film leaves the cinema halls.