'How Can You Sit Near Pradeep's Feet And Cry?' Sarath Kumar Recalls Devayani's Review After Dude's Release, Here's How He Responded

Actor Sarath Kumar, who played politician Athiyamaan Azhagappan in Pradeep Ranganathan and director Keerthiswaran’s Dude, has recently opened up about the reception he received for his performance in the film.

The film, which deals with honour killing, featured the actor as a character who opposes his daughter’s wish to marry a man from another caste.While coming to terms with a situation in the film, in one of the scenes, the 71-year-old actor is seen seated near the feet of 33-year-old Pradeep Ranganathan and begins to weep. This particular portion left his Surya Vamsam co-star Devayani in shock, and he later revealed her reaction to it.Also Read: Sarath Kumar Comes In Defense Of Pradeep Ranganathan After Reporter Deems Dude Actor 'Not Hero Material'Sarath Kumar on Delivering an Emotional Performance While Sitting Near Pradeep Ranganathan’s Feet: An Actor Should Have No ApprehensionsIn a chat with Behindwoods, the actor was asked about the honour killing aspect in the film Dude. He said, “The characters in the film question the heroine’s decision to move away from the hero, so it is as if the audience themselves are questioning her. It’s a new thought told in a new way in the film.”

He went on to reveal what Devayani thought about his performance in the film. He said, “Devayani called me after watching the film, and she told me I have done very well. But watching me seated near Pradeep’s feet and delivering an emotional scene left her in shock. She asked, ‘How can you do that?’ I said, ‘See, I am not weeping next to Pradeep; I am breaking down in front of my sister’s son.’ (In the film, Pradeep plays his nephew.) See, what is wrong in that? As an actor, I should have no apprehensions doing that scene.”

https://youtu.be/39x89Tl1vMI?si=JsJoXQ6KrpZ9QJiY

Previously, Sarath Kumar came to Pradeep Ranganathan’s defence after he was called “not hero material” at a press meet. He said, “You cannot say from A to Z who is hero material. Everybody here is hero material. You don’t have any specification for a hero. A person who does any act that is going to benefit society is a hero.”Dude was released worldwide on 17 October 2025 in theatres during the Diwali weekend. The film received mixed reviews but went on to earn Rs 100 crore at the box office.