Dravidianist debut filmmaker Keerthiswaran is experiencing a rapid, self-inflicted fall from grace. Fresh off the commercial success of his film Dude, the director has managed to reveal an astonishing level of arrogance and a deeply problematic ideology, proving that financial earnings are no substitute for artistic integrity or basic decency.
The controversy ignited when Keerthiswaran responded to a viewer’s private, constructive criticism with a sneering, dismissive message: “(laughter emojis)… go and have some life rather than sliding into my DMs.”
This is not the response of a confident artist open to dialogue, but the petulant retort of an immature individual intoxicated by early success. A filmmaker’s relationship with their audience is sacred; when a creator scorns those who paid to watch their work, it reveals a profound contempt for the very people who empower him. This incident alone “says enough about his mindset,” as the netizen rightly pointed out.
Dravidianist Degeneracy ‘Dude’
The director of Dude, Keerthiswaran, has unabashedly proclaimed his ideological loyalty to E.V. Ramasamy Naicker (hailed as “Periyar” by his followers) while defending a film that tramples upon the sanctity of marriage, romanticises extra-marital affairs, and parades moral decay as “progressive values.”
The film’s plot revolves around Agan, a man who willingly gives up his wife to another man and later pretends to be the father of her child. The story — which would anywhere else be called a moral collapse — is being celebrated by a section of gen-z Dravidianists and leftists.
Speaking to the media over its alleged commercial success, “This film is creating debates. What I feel is this is Tamil Nadu. In this state, many ‘elders’ (periyavunga) have lived. One ‘periyavar’ (referring to anti-Hindu bigot EV Ramasamy Naicker) has also lived. They’ve said so many things. We’re just followers of them and talking about it. In Tamil Nadu, these statements are not new. Many have told this before. We as next-gen are carrying it forward and will continue to talk about it. But it will be conveyed entertainingly within cinema that is accepted by audience in large scale, that’s my wish.”
Keerthiswaran went on to say that he will “continue to make such films”.
The Ideological Mask Behind Dude
However, this toxic arrogance is merely a symptom of the deeper moral decay championed by Keerthiswaran himself. In defending his film, which glorifies a man who abandons his wife to another man and then engages in a charade of fatherhood, treats extramarital affairs as empowerment, portrays moral collapse as “progress”, mocks the very idea of commitment, responsibility, or emotional integrity, markets nihilism as next-gen ideology; the director proudly proclaimed his ideological allegiance to E.V. Ramasamy Naicker (Periyar). He brazenly stated that he is a “follower” carrying forward this legacy, packaging these “messages” as entertainment for the masses.
He proudly positions himself as a disciple of E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, a man who openly advocated for women to remove their uteruses to “escape slavery,” promoted sexual irresponsibility as liberation, and built an anti-Hindu ideological empire under the guise of rationalism.
Commercial Success Does Not Justify Degeneracy
Keerthiswaran hides behind box-office numbers as though they cleanse the film’s intellectual bankruptcy. “People accepted it,” he boasts, ignoring the fact that social media discussions, reviews, and even theatre reactions have been deeply divided.
By his own admission, he wants to continue making films that push this ideological agenda. Tamil cinema has room for experimentation and even radical reinterpretations but not for juvenile provocation dressed up as social commentary.
A Film That Says Nothing, From A Director Who Cannot Hear Anything
The truth is simple: Dude isn’t disruptive. It isn’t courageous. It isn’t progressive.
It is a shallow, shock-chasing film built on borrowed slogans and hollow rebellion.
And when confronted with honest criticism, Keerthiswaran’s response shows exactly what kind of filmmaker he is, one who demands applause but collapses at the slightest pushback.
A director who celebrates a “Periyarist” rejection of tradition but cannot tolerate feedback from a woman proves not ideological sophistication, but hypocrisy.
When Arrogance Outgrows Talent: The Keerthiswaran Problem
Keerthiswaran wanted controversy; he has earned it.
He wanted to provoke debate; instead, he exposed his own inability to participate in one.
He wanted to position himself as a next-gen thinker; instead, he revealed an outdated ideological rigidity wrapped in cinematic immaturity.
If Dude is the standard he plans to “continue” delivering, Tamil cinema deserves and demands much better.
(Source: News18)
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