This Diwali, Kollywood saw three mid-budget films clash at the box office Dude starring Pradeep Ranganathan, Bison featuring Dhruv Vikram, and Diesel led by Harish Kalyan. With no major stars this festive season, all three films aimed to win over audiences on their own merit.
Many expected Dude to dominate the Diwali weekend and mark a hat-trick success for Pradeep Ranganathan after Love Today and Dragon. However, early reactions have been mixed. Viewers say the film works as a fun entertainer but falls short of expectations.
Meanwhile, Dhruv Vikram’s Bison is earning strong reviews. Audiences praise director Mari Selvaraj for crafting a powerful sports drama and commend Dhruv’s intense and emotional performance.
On the other hand, Diesel is struggling at the box office, drawing below-average responses and limited footfalls.
Box office trackers predict that despite its mixed reviews, Dude may still lead in collections. They believe Pradeep Ranganathan’s popularity and the film’s commercial appeal will help it hold well through the weekend.
However, Bison could finish close behind. Though praised for its depth, its serious tone and Mari Selvaraj’s political undertones may limit its broader reach. For now, Dude seems poised to win the Diwali box office race, while Bison remains the critical favourite.
The coming days will reveal whether Bison’s strong word-of-mouth can close the gap or if Dude maintains its lead as the festival’s box office winner.
