Pradeep Ranganathan to Direct Again in 2026

Pradeep Ranganathan stands today as a significant figure in Tamil cinema, having achieved a remarkable streak of three films—Love Today, Dragon, and Dude—each grossing over ₹100 crore. Before his rise as an actor, he started his journey behind the camera.

His early work involved directing short films, where he frequently took on acting roles himself, eventually leading him into the wider film industry.

Pradeep’s first feature film as a director was “Comali,” featuring Jayam Ravi and Kajal Aggarwal. This movie proved successful, helping him establish a strong footing within the industry.

For his second directorial effort, “Love Today,” he adapted one of his earlier short films. This project also marked his debut as a lead actor. “Love Today” became a huge commercial success, quickly making Pradeep a recognized star and bringing numerous acting opportunities from producers and directors.

Following this success, he appeared in “Dragon,” directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, and then “Dude,” helmed by Keerthiswaran. All three films where he played the main character surpassed the ₹100 crore milestone at the box office.

His next acting role is in “LIK,” directed by Vignesh Shivan, scheduled for release in early 2026. After “LIK,” Pradeep Ranganathan plans to return to directing with a project described as a long-held ambition, one he has developed over several years. He will also star in this film. Reports indicate he once approached Thalapathy Vijay with the same script, but the collaboration did not come to fruition for unstated reasons.

Archana Kalpathi of AGS Entertainment, who produced “Love Today” and “Dragon,” recently confirmed that Pradeep Ranganathan’s upcoming directorial venture will begin production and be released in 2026. In 2025, Pradeep had two films released: “Dragon” and “Dude.” The year 2026 is also set to see two releases from him: “LIK” and his new untitled directorial project.