Nagarjuna Compares Pradeep Ranganathan To Rajinikanth And Dhanush Amid ‘Not Hero Material’ Comment

During the latest Bigg Boss Telugu 9 Weekend Ka Vaar episode, host Nagarjuna lauded Tamil actor Pradeep Ranganathan, calling him a ‘flash of lightning’ for his talent and rising popularity. Currently busy

promoting his upcoming film Dude, Pradeep has recently faced demeaning comments from the media. A reporter suggested he is not “hero material” and even questioned whether he was copying Dhanush. Despite these remarks, Nagarjuna reassured Pradeep of his worth, calling him merupu teega (flash of lightning).

Nagarjuna Compares Pradeep to Legends

The Love Today actor visited Bigg Boss Telugu 9 to promote Dude. Nagarjuna compared him to cinematic legends Rajinikanth and Dhanush, said, “A few decades back, a merupu teega came to cinema and changed its fate, his name is Rajinikanth. Later, another merupu teega, skinny and youth-attracting, came Dhanush. Now, decades later, I see Pradeep.”Overwhelmed, Pradeep said, “Sir, those are really big words, and when it comes from you, it really means the world to me.” Nagarjuna praised Pradeep’s films Love Today and Dragon, highlighting their contemporary storytelling that resonates across languages and generations.ALSO READ: DYK Sreeleela Adopted Two Specially-Abled Kids From An Orphanage At 20?

Sarathkumar Defends Pradeep

A week earlier, a reporter questioned Pradeep about his appearance, suggesting he didn’t look like “hero material.” Before Pradeep could respond, actor Sarathkumar intervened, said, “You cannot define who is hero material; everyone here is a hero. There are no specifications. A person doing any act that benefits society is a hero. You could’ve simply asked why he isn’t a bodybuilder like me.”Written and directed by Keerthiswaran, the film Dude will hit theatres on October 17, 2025.