He quit IT job without telling family, fooled parents that he was on night shift WFH. Now, he is India’s first Rs 100 crore hattrick actor

Pradeep Ranganathan is currently receiving praise for his performance in Love Insurance Kompany (LIK), directed by Vignesh Shivan. The film has been performing well at the box office, earning around Rs 31.60 crore in its first five days, according to Sacnilk. Amid the film’s success, an old video of the actor talking about his journey has gone viral, giving fans a glimpse into his struggles before fame.

Pradeep Ranganathan's journey from IT job to blockbuster movies

The viral clip, from Honest Townhall, shows Pradeep opening up about a phase in his life when he took a big risk without informing his family. He revealed that he quit his IT job quietly, choosing not to tell his father about his decision. Instead, he pretended that he was still working, telling his family that he was doing night shifts from home.




Recalling that time, Pradeep shared, "So when my I told my mom alone, I was doing ads. So I got some money. So I survived through it. I told my mom that I'm going I'm quitting. Please don't tell dad. Somehow manage it."

He further explained how he kept up the act for nearly one and a half years. According to him, whenever his father would ask about his routine, his mother would say that he had just did a night shift and was resting. In reality, Pradeep would sleep during the day while working on his creative pursuits at night, hoping for a breakthrough.

That breakthrough eventually came, marking the beginning of his journey in the film industry. Today, his story is being widely shared as an example of persistence and belief in one’s dreams, especially among young aspirants who want to switch careers but fear taking risks.

More about Pradeep Ranganathan's hattrick

Pradeep’s rise in cinema has been nothing short of remarkable. According to a 2025 report by Deccan Chronicle, he became the first Indian actor to deliver a Rs 100 crore hat-trick with his first three films as a lead. His movies, Love Today (2022), Dragon (2025), and Dude (2025), all crossed the Rs 100 crore mark globally, a rare achievement for someone so early in their acting career.



Moreover, Pradeep did not start as an actor. He began his journey as a filmmaker with Comali (2019), where he also made a small appearance. His transition from director to actor turned out to be a game-changer, especially with Love Today, which not only performed well commercially but also connected strongly with younger audiences.

His second and third films as a lead further made his position in the industry, establishing him as a bankable star. Despite being relatively new, he has managed to create a strong fan base and is now seen as one of the most promising talents in Tamil cinema.

The success of Love Insurance Kompany (LIK) adds another feather to the actor's cap. While the film continues its run in theatres, Pradeep’s personal story is resonating just as much as his on-screen performances. According to Sacnilk.com, Love Insurance Kompany has earned about Rs 35.86 crore in India net and Rs 41.42 crore gross within nine days of its theatrical run. The film also collected Rs 10.80 crore overseas, taking its worldwide total to around Rs 52.22 crore. While it made Rs 33.22 crore in its first week, the pace of earnings slowed slightly in the second week. Stay tuned!