This Deepavali, Tamil filmdom is swapping megastar showdowns for a new generation of talent.
Unlike previous festive seasons dominated by Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, or Ajith, 2025’s Deepavali lineup – releasing on Oct 17 – features young stars Pradeep Ranganathan, Dhruv Vikram, and Harish Kalyan headlining films Dude, Bison, and Diesel.
Adding to the festival lineup are Carmeni Selvam and Kambi Katna Kathaa, ensuring a vibrant mix of youth, emotion, and action at the box office.
Dude: Pradeep Ranganathan’s Simple Film with a Strong Message
After back-to-back hits Love Today and Dragon, actor-filmmaker Pradeep Ranganathan returns with Dude, a youthful romantic drama directed by Keerthiswaran.
Co-starring Mamitha Baiju and Sarathkumar, the film delves into friendship, love, and sacrifice, laced with Ranganathan’s signature humor and realism.
At the audio launch, Ranganathan described Dude as “a simple, small film for the festival occasion with comedy, fights, and a strong social message”.
He added: “The director has something relevant to say for the times we live in. Dude is a cool character who finds happiness in making others happy.”
The film’s groovy track “Oorum Blood” has already gone viral, with critics calling Dude the “feel-good entertainer” of the season.
Bison: Dhruv Vikram’s Defining Role in Mari Selvaraj’s Sports Drama
Marking his third major outing, Dhruv Vikram headlines Bison: Kaalamaadan, a powerful sports drama directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mari Selvaraj (Karnan, Maamannan).
The film explores the struggles and pride of a kabaddi player, played by Dhruv, against a gritty rural backdrop.
Co-starring Anupama Parameswaran, Rajisha Vijayan, Pasupathy, and Lal, the film features music by Nivas K. Prasanna and intense visuals by Ezhil Arasu K.
Filmmaker Ram, who mentored Selvaraj, praised Bison as “his best work yet”.
With glowing pre-release buzz and emotional storytelling, the film is expected to be a milestone for Dhruv, positioning him among Tamil cinema’s promising stars.
Diesel: Harish Kalyan’s Action-Packed Thriller
Actor Harish Kalyan, fresh from his hit Lubber Pandhu, shifts gears with Diesel, an intense action thriller directed by Shanmugam Muthusamy.
Co-starring Athulya Ravi and Vinay Rai, the film follows an underground oil smuggling network led by a mysterious mastermind known as “Diesel”.
The trailer’s gripping dialogue – “Two incompetent umpires thought they could start the game while I was away” – and its focus on power, corruption, and survival have fuelled anticipation.
Harish plays a layered role balancing toughness and emotion, while Dhibu Ninan Thomas’s music adds punch.
In a recent interview, Harish urged unity among fans: “Many newcomers in Tamil cinema are trying to showcase their full potential. Every film this Deepavali – Bison, Dude, Diesel – should be supported.”
Other Deepavali Treats: Carmeni Selvam and Kambi Katna Kathaa
Rounding off the festive releases are two thought-provoking dramas.
Carmeni Selvam, directed by Ram Chakri, stars Samuthirakani and Gautham Vasudev Menon in a moral fable about greed and redemption.
Kambi Katna Kathaa, a comedy by Rajanathan Periyasamy, features Natarajan Subramaniam (Natty) and Singampuli in a quirky story of a fake guru caught in a jewel heist.
A Festival for the Next Generation
This Deepavali marks a generational shift in Tamil cinema – young heroes leading the festive box office for the first time in years.
With Dude bringing youthful romance, Bison delivering sports intensity, and Diesel offering adrenaline-fuelled action, audiences can expect a mix of freshness and experimentation.
As Harish summed up: “This Deepavali belongs to the new wave. Let’s celebrate all films – because every story deserves the spotlight.”
