Dragon

Only a few movies are better than their trailers, and when we saw the Dragon trailer, many of us thought it resembled Sivakarthikeyan's Don. While Dragon shares some similarities in its story and first half, it ultimately turned out to be something entirely different.

The story of Dragon (whose real name is Ragavan, and you'll find out why he's called Dragon when you watch the movie) revolves around him having 48 arrears during his college life. He is determined not to finish them unless his life reaches a critical situation.

Director Ashwath Marimathu, along with Pradeep Ranganathan, wrote this feel-good story and executed it well with his audience-friendly screenplay.

Pradeep's acting is much better than in Love Today, though his dance could still improve.

Anupama Parameswaran and Kayadu Lohar are the leading actresses in this movie, with Anupama playing a more prominent role than Kayadu. Both performed their roles well.

George Maryan, who played Pradeep's father, delivered a powerful performance, and the emotional scenes between them resonate with the audience.

Mysskin's role as the college dean is his best performance in his acting career.

Gautam Menon, Harshath Khan, V. J. Siddhu, and K. S. Ravikumar all performed well in their respective roles.

Leon James' music plays an essential part in shaping the emotional atmosphere of the movie, and overall, his BGM is a pleasant experience for the ears, instead of the harsh sounds like Dragon's roar.

On the technical side, the visuals are colorful and flawless.

The first half of Dragon is filled with the ups and downs of college life, love, and irresponsibility in fulfilling duties.

The second half of Dragon gives the movie real meaning, with emotional moments, plenty of comedy, and a perfect climax.

Dragon delivers a clear message about the importance of education.

All in all, Dragon is a must-watch movie that's best experienced on the big screen.

I didn't pay much attention when Return of the Dragon (Dragon in Tamil) was released a couple of days ago since it was a dubbed film. Though actor Pradeep Ranganathan became a sensation with his second movie Love Today, for some reason, I wasn't inclined to watch this one initially. However, after hearing good feedback, I decided to give it a shot and see what he had done differently this time. And he didn't disappoint.

After the massive success of Love Today, Pradeep has once again delivered a solid coming-of-age story that resonates with students and the general audience alike. It's refreshing to see a film set in a college backdrop that brings something new to the table. We've seen many college-based films before, some with similar themes-like Raghuvaran B. Tech and Aadavari Matalaku Arthale Verule-which made me wonder what more could be explored in this setting. Usually, college stories revolve around politics, romance, and struggles, but Pradeep and director Ashwath have managed to present a fresh perspective.

The film follows Raghavan, a once-brilliant student in his 12th grade who turns into a rebellious college student nicknamed "Dragon." Influenced by his high school crush's remark that girls prefer rugged guys over studious ones, he goes down the wrong path, accumulating 48 backlogs in his engineering course. Despite this, he secures a software job using fake certificates. The real story unfolds when his principal discovers the deception and gives him an ultimatum-clear his backlogs or face the consequences.

The narrative has multiple layers. One explores his breakup with Anupama Parameswaran's character and how it impacts him. Another focuses on his loving and supportive parents, who stand by him despite his declining academic performance. Then there's his close-knit group of friends, who stay together and support each other. The character of a junior student who idolizes "Dragon" and becomes a mini version of him adds another interesting dynamic. The title Return of the Dragon is beautifully justified within the story.

If you have studied engineering or medicine, you've likely encountered students who were toppers in school but lost their way in college, ending up with backlogs due to bad influences or habits. I've seen such cases in my own college-students with sharp minds but the wrong company leading them astray. The film also highlights a common reality: during college, girls often admire the daring, carefree boys who skip classes and appear cool, but when it comes to marriage, they prefer stable, career-oriented men, even if they look less appealing. This irony is depicted beautifully in the movie. Additionally, it touches on the impatience of today's youth, who look for shortcuts-like fake certificates and proxy interviews-to secure jobs. This aspect feels incredibly relevant in today's world.

The movie ends on a strong, philosophical note, delivering an important message: if you build your life or career on lies, you'll never find true happiness. Deep down, you'll always know it's fake, and it can all collapse at any moment. A college degree might not seem glamorous, but an honest life and career bring genuine satisfaction and peace.

Though the film is tailored for today's youth, it never crosses the line into vulgarity, double-meaning dialogues, or forced comedy. Instead, it subtly imparts valuable lessons. A couple of standout scenes include one where Raghavan refuses a tequila shot at a pub because he has to drive his fiancée home and another where he warns his friend "Chota Dragon" against driving drunk. These moments deliver important messages without feeling preachy. This proves that with creativity, filmmakers can craft engaging stories that connect with the youth without resorting to cheap gimmicks.

As for performances, Pradeep Ranganathan impresses once again. He reminds me of Tamil superstars like Rajinikanth and Dhanush-not because of his looks but due to his acting prowess and ability to express a range of emotions. He even throws self-deprecating satire about his lean frame, which adds to his charm. This film has earned him my respect for both his story choices and his acting skills, and I eagerly look forward to his future projects. Anupama Parameswaran delivers a stellar performance as his love interest, bringing depth to her role. Kayadu Lohar, the second female lead, also does well, capturing attention with her screen presence. Special mention goes to George Maryan (of Kaithi and Leo fame), who shines as Raghavan's caring and supportive father. The supporting cast, especially Raghavan's group of friends, have all done a commendable job.

Director Ashwath Marimuthu, in just his second film, has handled the subject beautifully. The only aspect that could have been better is the music-while the background score is decent, the songs could have been stronger.

Overall, in an era where people often complain about a lack of fresh stories and rehashed narratives, Return of the Dragon stands out. It delivers an engaging college-based story without exaggerated elevation scenes, over-the-top villains, or unnecessary grandeur. Instead, it remains entertaining, relatable, and meaningful, ending with a powerful message. If you liked Love Today, you'll likely enjoy this film even more. I highly recommend watching it.

Life may not be the same for everyone, but it offers fair opportunities to succeed and redeem ourselves for a better future-if we are willing to acknowledge our mistakes and embrace honesty.

In his debut directorial, Ashwath explored the essence of life, and with Dragon, he delves deeper into how life constantly presents chances for redemption. The film emphasizes that success isn't about shortcuts but about facing one's past and making amends.

The protagonist, Pradeep, leads a privileged and carefree life, pampered by his parents, friends, and girlfriend, with no real responsibilities. What makes his journey compelling is that time and again, life gives him opportunities to change, but he continuously seeks shortcuts to success. The film revolves around the consequences he faces when his past mistakes catch up with him.

Pradeep, who was previously criticized for imitating actors like Dhanush and SJ Suryah in Love Today, has visibly worked on his craft in Dragon. His performance in emotional, comedic, and intense sequences reflects a more refined and unique approach.

The first half showcases how the protagonist builds his life on deception, while the second half presents him with a chance to make things right. The question remains-does he truly embrace redemption?

Overall, Dragon is a film that encourages introspection, reminding us that real success lies not in avoiding mistakes but in learning from them.

I feel Dragon is a film that's saved by its second half. Maybe I was wrong in anticipating a full-fledged comedy entertainer (like those mid-2000s to mid-2010s Dhanush flicks), but Ashwath Marumuthu's second film is a proper emotional drama. Its first-half college portions were dull for me, but the film takes flight once the redemption arc is front and center. The writing, except for the final act, feels a tad too convenient-it simply breezes through the struggle of finding a job, but makes passing college exams sound like the toughest thing in the world-not true in 2025, bro!

Pradeep Ranganathan has a limited acting range (for now), and thankfully, the screenplay focuses on his strengths. Conversely, the ladies are merely supporting actors in the overall scheme of things, existing to solidify Dragon (..and his inimitable bad-boy aura). Anupama certainly has more to do than Kayadu Lohar, and it's certainly one of her finer roles in recent times. Both look absolutely dashing, however. The real acting standout undoubtedly is Mysskin as principal Mayilvahanan, bringing an almost Raju Hirani-esque character to life with ease. Bjorn Surrao is also fun in an early scene, while seeing Gautham Menon dance is a delight.

The key supporting acts, VJ Siddhu & Harshath, are merely okay. Leon James' music and score seem to suit the material fairly well, especially the Vazhithunaiyae track. I see where the appeal for a film like this comes from; given both Dhanush and Sivakarthikeyan have moved on to more intense acting roles, there's always a space for breezy, coming-of-age drama in Tamil cinema. If not for the all-too-convenient writing in the first half, I think I'd have liked Dragon a lot more.

The story, acting, screenplay and direction is all top notch. You'll run through a mix of emotions while watching this movie. The movie is emotional, delivers a good message and has blend of humour at the same time. The best 2.5 hours that I could spend on a Sunday afternoon. Actor Pradeep has done a commendable job and I believe it is a must watch.

The movie revolves around a man who abandons his education and then moves on secure a high paying job by unethical means. His life takes a turn when he is at the risk of getting exposed.

The movie delivers a message that no matter how many mistakes you have done in life, if you can own upto them you can still achieve whatever you want.