Director Ashwath Marimuthu’s Dragon is a coming-of-age film starring Pradeep Ranganathan, Anupama Parameswaran, and Mysskin. The movie blends fun, drama, and a strong message about education and second chances. Though it has a slow start, it gains momentum post-interval, making for an engaging watch.
A Life-Changing Mistake
The film explores what happens when a mistake changes the life of an already struggling person. Dragon answers deep questions about regret, self-improvement, and learning from past choices.
D. Ragavan (Pradeep Ranganathan) is a model student, earning a gold medal in school. Encouraged by this success, he confesses his love to a girl, but she rejects him, saying she prefers “bad boys.” This rejection deeply affects him. In college, he transforms into “Dragon,” a careless student with 48 standing arrears. However, he finds love in Keerthi (Anupama Parameswaran), who later realizes that Ragavan is a failure and leaves him for a successful man. Heartbroken and angry, Ragavan’s life takes a dangerous turn.
Comparisons to Don 2
After the trailer release, many compared Dragon to Don 2, but the two films have their unique styles. Dragon follows Ragavan’s journey through school and college, where he clashes with his principal, Mayilvahanan (Mysskin). Unlike strict principals in many movies, Mayilvahanan believes in second chances and tries to guide his students towards the right path. But how many mistakes does it take for someone to realize their faults? That is the core of Dragon.
First Half: A Typical College Drama
The first half feels like a standard college film. We see Ragavan and his gang of rowdy friends living recklessly, ignoring responsibilities. He doesn’t care about his parents, his education, or his future. He believes in shortcuts rather than hard work.
Second Half: A Stronger Narrative
While the first half is slow, the movie picks up in the second half. This is where the director’s storytelling shines. Ragavan’s character growth, his moment of realization, and an ending that doesn’t glorify his mistakes make for an interesting watch.
Problematic Love Story
Ragavan and Keerthi’s relationship arc feels a bit flawed. The film paints Keerthi in a negative light for choosing a stable life over an unsuccessful boyfriend. Although the story redeems this arc later, it could have been handled better.
Performances and Technical Aspects
Pradeep Ranganathan plays Ragavan with the same energy as in Love Today. His fun moments and exaggerated expressions are entertaining, but his emotional scenes need more depth. Anupama Parameswaran delivers a solid performance, especially in emotional scenes. Kayadu Lohar, as Pallavi (Ragavan’s fiancé), plays her role well.
Ragavan’s friends, played by VJ Siddhu and Harshath Khan, get ample screen time and contribute to the story. The film’s music, by Leon James, adds to the energy, while Niketh Bommireddy’s cinematography and Pradeep E Ragav’s editing enhance the visual appeal.
