Pradeep Ranganathan’s Dragon, directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, released in theaters on February 21, 2025, and explores the journey of a young man struggling to overcome his mistakes. The film reflects on the complexities of life, love, and the importance of education.
The story follows D Ragavan (Ranganathan), a gold medalist in school who becomes a rebellious figure known as “Dragon” in college after a painful rejection from his crush. His transformation into a bad boy, filled with failed attempts at escaping his responsibilities, leads to a relationship with Keerthi (Anupama Parameswaran), which eventually crumbles after she discovers Ragavan’s lack of success. This breakup sends Ragavan spiraling, questioning his choices and pushing him towards a life of hatred and self-doubt.
While the first half of Dragon may seem like a typical college drama, the film picks up steam in the second half, revealing some of director Ashwath Marimuthu’s signature brilliance. The film dives into Ragavan’s personal growth and realization, carefully avoiding cliché endings. However, the treatment of Keerthi’s character could have been more refined, as the film almost villainizes her for being honest.
Ranganathan delivers a solid performance as Ragavan, combining humor with moments of emotional depth, though some emotional scenes could have been handled with more subtlety. Anupama Parameswaran shines as Keerthi, especially during the emotional confrontation with Ragavan.
With strong music by Leon James, vibrant cinematography by Niketh Bommireddy, and sharp editing by Pradeep E Ragav, Dragon stands out as an engaging, albeit imperfect, film about redemption, growth, and the impact of education.
Rating: 3/5
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