Pradeep Ranganathan stands as one of Tamil cinema’s most talented multi-hyphenate artists, known for his powerful performances as an actor, innovative work as a director, and compelling storytelling as a screenwriter. He has captivated audiences through romantic comedies and coming-of-age dramas, earning recognition for his versatility and artistic vision. From his directorial debut in Comali to his blockbuster acting debut in Love Today, Pradeep Ranganathan has consistently demonstrated talent and pushed boundaries throughout his impressive career in Tamil cinema.
Pradeep Ranganathan is a 32-year-old Indian actor, director, and screenwriter with an estimated net worth of ₹2 crore as of 2025. Born on July 25, 1993, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pradeep rose to fame through his directorial work on Comali and his acting breakthrough in Love Today. He is currently working on multiple upcoming projects including Love Insurance Kompany and Dude.
Quick Facts About Pradeep Ranganathan
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Pradeep Ranganathan |
| Date of Birth | July 25, 1993 (Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Age | 32 years old (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Actor, Director, Screenwriter, Lyricist |
| Net Worth | ₹2 crore (2025) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Height | Approximately 170 cm (5’7″) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Caste | Brahmin |
| Famous For | Directing Comali (2019) and Love Today (2022), Acting in Dragon (2025) |
Pradeep Ranganathan Early Life and Education
Pradeep Ranganathan grew up in a middle-class Hindu Brahmin family in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. His father, Ranganathan, supported his creative aspirations from an early age. The household emphasized education and discipline while fostering creativity and imagination.
Educational Background
| Institution | Degree/Program | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAV School | Primary and Secondary Education | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Completed schooling |
| SSN College of Engineering | Bachelor of Engineering (Information Technology) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Developed passion for filmmaking during college |
During his engineering studies, Pradeep discovered his passion for directing and began creating short films. He took on multiple roles including acting, editing, and directing in these early projects, developing skills that would later define his career.
Pradeep Ranganathan Personal Life and Family
Pradeep Ranganathan maintains a private personal life while being active on social media with his fans. He has two elder siblings, including a brother and a sister, though their names have not been publicly disclosed.
Family Information
| Relationship | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Ranganathan (occupation details not disclosed) |
| Mother | Name not publicly disclosed |
| Siblings | One elder brother and one elder sister (names not disclosed) |
| Relationship Status | Unmarried, currently single |
Pradeep has mentioned in interviews that approximately 10 percent of Love Today is based on his own life experiences, including memories from a past relationship. He dedicated the film as a sweet tribute to his ex-girlfriend, emphasizing it conveys a positive message rather than being a revenge story.
Pradeep Ranganathan Career and Achievements
Pradeep Ranganathan began his career creating short films during his college years, showcasing remarkable versatility by handling directing, writing, acting, and editing simultaneously.
Short Film Career
| Year | Short Film Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Whatsapp Kadhal | Director, Writer, Actor, Editor | Gained 3 million views, breakthrough project |
| Various | College Diaries | Director, Writer, Actor | Campus-focused content |
| Various | App(a) Lock | Director, Writer | Later adapted into Love Today |
| Various | TV Kadhai | Director, Writer | Comedy sketch |
| Various | Highway Kaadhali | Director, Writer | Romance-themed short |
Complete Filmography (Feature Films)
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Co-Stars | Box Office | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Comali | Director, Writer, Cameo (Auto Driver Joseph) | Jayam Ravi, Kajal Aggarwal, Yogi Babu | Commercial Success | Hit |
| 2022 | Love Today | Director, Writer, Lead Actor (Uthaman Pradeep), Lyricist | Ivana, Raveena Ravi, Yogi Babu | ₹66.57 crore (Budget: ₹6 crore) | Blockbuster |
| 2025 | Dragon | Story Writer, Lead Actor (D. Ragavan “Dragon”) | Anupama Parameswaran, Kayadu Lohar, Mysskin | ₹150 crore (Highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025) | Blockbuster |
| 2025 | Loveyapa (Hindi) | Producer, Original Story | Junaid Khan, Khushi Kapoor | Hindi remake of Love Today | Released |
| 2025 | Love Insurance Kompany (LIK) | Lead Actor, Co-Writer | S. J. Suryah, Krithi Shetty, Yogi Babu | October 17, 2025 (Diwali Release) | Upcoming |
| 2025 | Dude (PR 04) | Lead Actor | Mamitha Baiju, R. Sarathkumar, Hridhu Haroon | October 17, 2025 (Diwali Release) | Upcoming |
Career Highlights and Milestones
Pradeep’s career demonstrates a 100% success rate at the box office. Love Today collected ₹66.57 crore net against a modest budget of ₹6 crore, becoming one of the most profitable Tamil films of 2022. Dragon surpassed Vidaamuyarchi’s lifetime collections to become the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025 with approximately ₹150 crore worldwide.
Pradeep Ranganathan Net Worth and Lifestyle
Pradeep Ranganathan’s estimated net worth is ₹2 crore as of 2025, primarily from his successful film projects, directorial ventures, and social media engagements.
Income Sources
| Income Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Acting Fees | Film remuneration for lead roles |
| Directorial Projects | Fees and profit sharing from directed films |
| Screenwriting | Story and screenplay credits |
| Social Media | Instagram earnings: $57,000 – $78,000 per month (estimated) |
| YouTube Channel | Channel with 607,000+ subscribers |
| Production | Producer credits for Loveyapa (Hindi) |
Pradeep Ranganathan Hobbies and Interests
| Hobby/Interest | Details |
|---|---|
| Dog Lover | Proudly identifies as a dog lover on social media |
| YouTube Content Creation | Operates personal YouTube channel with 607K+ subscribers |
| Filmmaking | Continuous passion for creating and experimenting with films |
| Lyric Writing | Wrote lyrics for songs in Comali and other projects |
Pradeep Ranganathan Favorites and Preferences
| Category | Favorites |
|---|---|
| Favorite Films | Back to the Future (1985), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), Titanic (1997), Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989), Padayappa (1999), Munna Bhai MBBS (2003), 3 Idiots (2009) |
| Inspiration (Director) | Rajkumar Hirani (for films like Munna Bhai MBBS and 3 Idiots) |
| Industry Role Models | Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan |
Pradeep Ranganathan Awards and Recognition
| Year | Award | Category | Film | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | SIIMA Award | Best Debutant Director | Comali | Won |
| 2023 | SIIMA Award | Best Male Debut – Tamil | Love Today | Won |
| 2023 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Male Debut – South | Love Today | Won |
Pradeep Ranganathan has received recognition from legendary actors including Rajinikanth, who personally met him after watching Love Today and praised his work. Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan also appreciated Pradeep’s work and offered encouraging words.
Pradeep Ranganathan Controversies and Legal Issues
Major Controversies
| Year | Controversy Type | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Political Depiction | Comali trailer faced criticism from Rajinikanth fans for depicting the actor’s political stance | Pradeep and production company issued apology video |
| 2022 | Past Social Media Posts | Old Facebook posts resurfaced showing negative comments about Yuvan Shankar Raja and cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni | Pradeep explained he was young and has matured; deleted Facebook account |
Pradeep addressed the social media controversy by acknowledging his immaturity during his younger years. He stated that he has evolved significantly and his perspectives have changed with time and experience.
Pradeep Ranganathan Online Presence and Social Links
Official Social Media Accounts
| Platform | Username/Handle | Followers/Subscribers | Link/URL | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| @pradeep_ranganathan | 3 Million+ followers | instagram.com/pradeep_ranganathan | ✓ Verified | |
| Twitter/X | @pradeeponelife | 326K+ followers | twitter.com/pradeeponelife | ✓ Verified |
| YouTube | Pradeep Ranganathan | 607K+ subscribers | YouTube Channel Active | Official Channel |
Professional Profiles
| Platform Type | Platform Name | Profile Status | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMDb | Actor/Director Database | Active/Complete | Complete filmography and credits |
| Wikipedia | Biography Page | Active/Updated | Comprehensive encyclopedia entry |
| TMDB | The Movie Database | Active | Film database and credits |
Unknown Facts About Pradeep Ranganathan
Here are fascinating unknown facts about Pradeep Ranganathan that most fans don’t know, including his creative process, inspirations, and surprising career choices.
Pradeep Ranganathan began his creative journey as a multi-tasking filmmaker during his engineering college days at SSN College of Engineering. While pursuing Information Technology, he would simultaneously handle acting, editing, and directing for his short films, developing a unique skill set that few filmmakers possess. His breakthrough short film Whatsapp Kadhal garnered 3 million views, demonstrating his ability to create viral content long before his feature film career began.
The inspiration behind Love Today came from Pradeep’s own short film App(a) Lock, which he expanded into a full-length feature. During interviews, he revealed that approximately 10 percent of Love Today is based on real experiences from his past relationship. The film was dedicated to his ex-girlfriend not as a revenge story, but as a sweet tribute similar to dedicating an award to someone close.
Pradeep’s directorial style is heavily influenced by Bollywood director Rajkumar Hirani, particularly films like Munna Bhai MBBS and 3 Idiots. He admires Hirani’s ability to blend social commentary with entertainment, a technique visible in both Comali and Love Today. This cross-industry inspiration showcases his willingness to learn from different film industries.
Before becoming a successful filmmaker and actor, Pradeep faced significant challenges during Comali’s release when Rajinikanth fans demanded a boycott due to the film’s political satire. This controversy could have ended his career before it truly began, but he handled it professionally by issuing an apology video alongside the production company. The experience taught him valuable lessons about navigating sensitive topics in cinema.
Despite his success as a director with Comali, Pradeep took a bold decision to step in front of the camera as the lead actor in Love Today. This transition from behind-the-camera to on-screen performer was risky, but his natural charisma and relatable screen presence proved that he possessed acting talent equal to his directorial skills. His first acting attempt resulted in winning both SIIMA and Filmfare Awards for Best Male Debut.
Pradeep maintains a 100% success rate at the box office, with all his films either becoming hits or blockbusters. Love Today collected ₹66.57 crore against a modest budget of ₹6 crore, while Dragon became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025 with ₹150 crore. This remarkable track record has made him one of the most bankable young stars in Tamil cinema.
The filmmaker-actor has met and received appreciation from legendary figures including Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan. Rajinikanth personally watched Love Today and met Pradeep to express his appreciation, offering words that Pradeep says he will cherish for life. Similarly, Aamir Khan’s praise for his work validated Pradeep’s cross-generational appeal and storytelling abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pradeep Ranganathan
What is Pradeep Ranganathan’s net worth?
Pradeep Ranganathan’s estimated net worth is ₹2 crore as of 2025, primarily from his successful film career as an actor, director, and screenwriter, along with social media earnings.
How old is Pradeep Ranganathan?
Pradeep Ranganathan is 32 years old, born on July 25, 1993, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Is Pradeep Ranganathan married?
No, Pradeep Ranganathan is currently unmarried and single. He maintains privacy about his personal relationships.
What is Pradeep Ranganathan famous for?
Pradeep Ranganathan is best known for directing the blockbuster films Comali (2019) and Love Today (2022), and for his lead acting roles in Love Today and Dragon (2025). He holds a 100% success rate at the box office.
How tall is Pradeep Ranganathan?
Pradeep Ranganathan is approximately 170 cm (5 feet 7 inches) tall.
What are Pradeep Ranganathan’s upcoming movies?
Pradeep Ranganathan has two major films releasing during Diwali 2025: Love Insurance Kompany (directed by Vignesh Shivan) and Dude (directed by Keerthiswaran), both scheduled for October 17, 2025.
What awards has Pradeep Ranganathan won?
Pradeep Ranganathan won the SIIMA Award for Best Debutant Director (2021) for Comali, and both SIIMA and Filmfare Awards for Best Male Debut – South (2023) for Love Today.
What is Pradeep Ranganathan’s educational background?
Pradeep Ranganathan completed his schooling at DAV School in Chennai and graduated with a degree in Information Technology from SSN College of Engineering, Chennai.
What was Pradeep Ranganathan’s first film?
Pradeep Ranganathan made his directorial debut with Comali (2019), where he also played a cameo role. He made his lead acting debut with Love Today (2022), which he also wrote and directed.
How successful was Dragon at the box office?
Dragon (2025) became the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025, collecting approximately ₹150 crore worldwide, surpassing all other Tamil releases of the year.
