Moneycontrol PRO
HomeEntertainmentRegionalPradeep Ranganathan reveals he faced body shaming since childhood: “Kids used to say I look dark, my shirt is full of.."

Pradeep Ranganathan reveals he faced body shaming since childhood: “Kids used to say I look dark, my shirt is full of.."

As his film Dude nears its Diwali release on October 17, Pradeep Ranganathan has sparked discussion beyond cinema. The actor-director candidly addressed body shaming and unrealistic beauty standards, revealing how he’s grown desensitized after facing such comments since childhood.

October 14, 2025 / 18:45 IST
Pradeep Ranganathan reveals he faced body shaming since childhood: “Kids used to say I look dark, my shirt is full of.."

As his upcoming film Dude gears up for its Diwali release on October 17, actor and director Pradeep Ranganathan has once again found himself at the center of an unexpected conversation, this time, about body shaming and beauty standards in cinema.

The Love Today star, who has steadily built a loyal audience for his relatable, grounded persona, was asked during a Telugu media interaction how he handles comments questioning whether he looks “hero material.”

“I honestly don’t feel bad when I am asked such questions,” Pradeep said. “I will tell you why, because I’ve been hearing this since childhood. Kids used to say I look thin, dark… even during Love Today, I was bullied on stage. If you buy a new shirt and it gets stained for the first time, you’ll feel bad. But my shirt is full of stains now.”
The anchor who asked the question noted, “I can see the pain in your eyes.”

To that, Pradeep replied with a faint smile: “It’s fine, sir. Now even common people are heroes. They see themselves in me.”

His words reflect a quiet defiance against the long-standing stereotypes that have shaped Indian cinema’s definition of a “hero.” In an industry that has often celebrated fair skin, gym-toned physiques, and conventional glamour, Pradeep’s rise represents something more grounded — a shift towards characters and faces that mirror the audience watching them.

Also Read: Bigg Boss 19: Tanya Mittal takes a dig at Abhishek and Ashnoor’s closeness, says ‘Inke liye alag show bana do'

The conversation began when another journalist bluntly told Pradeep, “You don’t look like hero material. But you seem to have a big fan following despite doing just a few films. Would you attribute that to hard work or luck?”

Before Pradeep could respond, his co-star in Dude, veteran actor R. Sarath Kumar, jumped in to defend him. “You cannot say from A to Z who is hero material,” he said firmly. “Everybody here is hero material. There’s no specification for it. A person who is doing any act that benefits society is a hero.”

Directed by debutant Keerthishwaran, Dude stars Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju in lead roles, with Sarath Kumar, Hridhu Haroon, Rohini, Aishwarya Sharma, and Dravid Selvam in supporting parts. The music is composed by Sai Abhyankkar. With the film releasing this Diwali, audiences seem ready for a new kind of hero — one who looks like the world they live in, not the fantasy they escape to.

first published: Oct 14, 2025 06:45 pm

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

  • On Saturdays

    Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

  • Daily-Weekdays

    Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347