Praggnanandhaa R commented on his viral Instagram post in an interview with ChessBase India. Pragg says that he enjoys hanging out with Gukesh Dommaraju. Pragg notes that Gukesh is relaxed before the FIDE World Championship 2026.

Praggnanandhaa R

Praggnanandhaa R

India's No. 1

“[Question: The internet was taken by storm by these posts. This post when you guys went to see ‘Jailer 2’, a lot of rumors came like: ‘Maybe Pragg is helping Gukesh? Or he’s some sort of second?’]

It’s fun to hang out with your friends and it’s fun to hang out with Gukesh. I think it’s also nice to see him get more relaxed before the match.

Usually, you take a lot of like stress. But I think it’s more important to be yourself and to be relaxed and not to take too much pressure of these things. And I’m happy that he’s enjoying, but I’m also sure that he’s preparing well.”

Praggnanandhaa R, his sister Vaishali R, Gukesh Dommaraju, and Lydian Nadhaswaram went together to see the movie Jailer 2 at a cinema. Pragg posted a joint selfie with Gukesh where they are sitting in the same seat. Pragg noted that they could not buy 4 tickets and that he and Gukesh shared a seat for the whole movie.

The FIDE World Championship 2026 is the crowning match to determine the World Champion. Match features defending Champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov, the winner of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026. The match will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from November 25 to December 15.

Credit: Praggnanandhaa R Instagram