During the promotional event of his upcoming film Dude in the Telugu states, Tamil actor Pradeep Ranganathan was asked an uncomfortable question by a Telugu journalist, which quickly stirred debate across social media. 

The journalist began with a dismissive remark, saying, “Please don’t take it otherwise, but you don’t look like a film hero. You’ve achieved so much success with just two films; is this your luck?”

Veteran actor Sarath Kumar, who was present at the Dude promotional event alongside Pradeep, stepped in to respond. He stated that such questions are inappropriate and emphasized that there is no fixed standard for what a hero should look like. He added that anyone whose actions benefit society can be considered a hero. 

Pradeep Ranganathan also replied gracefully, saying that apart from talent, he believes divine grace has played a role in his success. He mentioned that audiences might see themselves in his characters, which makes his films more relatable.

Social media users strongly criticized the journalist for the insensitive question, arguing that public acceptance is the only true measure of a hero. Many pointed to Pradeep’s success with Love Today and Dragon, both of which performed well at the box office. His growing popularity and the offers from major production houses are proof that audiences connect with him, regardless of conventional looks or industry norms.