‘Dragon’ from a fairly new and fresh filmmaker Ashwath Marimuthu cooks up the proper recipe that is so aptly woven for the audience’s taste. A Coming of Age drama that fleshes out the tragic reality of education and all that is morally grey through the leading character D. Raghavan and his journey. Starring Pradeep Ranganathan, Mysskin, Anupama Parameshwaran, Kayadu Lohar and others, ‘Dragon’ flies high.
‘Dragon’ Movie Plot and Premise
D. Raghavan (Pradeep Ranganathan), a dedicated and intelligent student who tops his class in Class 12 finally musters up the courage to propose to the girl he likes, who rejects him saying that he is ‘too good’ of a person and that girls only like ‘bad boys’. This shifts his idea of building a personality as he becomes ‘Dragon’, a popular figure in his college who has 48 backlogs just to spite his idealistic principal (Mysskin). With pending backlogs and no degree his girlfriend Keerthi (Anupama Parameshwaran) also leaves him stating his life as ‘failure’. Apart from deceiving his family about his ‘job’, Raghavan decides to become successful through shortcuts that backfire and bite him later in ways he never expects. While all is smooth sailing, his Principal presents him an offer he can’t refuse.
Characters and Performance
‘Dragon’ is through and through a Pradeep Ranganathan play that dips when he wants to hit highs that creates a blast in the theatre. A unique and refreshing performance from the youngster who not only takes control of the narration but also conjures magic in a physically humorous way nowadays the lead men are still figuring out or hesitating to showcase.
Director/ Actor Mysskin in an anchoring role as the Idealistic and Forbearing principal of the college steals the scenes especially when the narration shifts. A balanced and clean cut performance that is well written and performed without the overbearing preachy character arc.
Actress Anupama Parameshwaran gets a much needed breakthrough in Tamil with a truly realistic character. Keerthi as a loyal lover tries to stick with Raghavan but breaks down after holding the fort for such a long time. Her portions not only elevate the romantic scenes but also soars high in the second half.
Actress Kayadu Lohar brings in the emotional aspects along with hope while Youtubers VJ Siddhu and Harshath Khan create a blast with their presence, receiving more whistles than the leading characters, a perfect inclusion for the narration.
Leon James has blended a perfect composition for the Romantic portions but truly hit the right spot with the background score that settles a level of hype for Pradeep Ranganathan.
Dear Sidhu & harshath ♥️!
— Ashwath Marimuthu (@Dir_Ashwath) November 8, 2024
U guys have made people laugh forgetting their problems through your YouTube channel @vjsiddhu_vlogs . I myself have seen a pregnant women watch your vlog before delivery while we were shooting the film ♥️ now it’s time for the world to see you guys on… pic.twitter.com/ShD9f4pnmx
The Positive Aspects
Ashwath Marimuthu has the skill to develop a clever screenplay that doesn’t overuse or overrides the commercial aspects or glorifies the characters to make it relatable. He rather uses actors in apt characters such as the friends Anbu or Kutti Dragon who are not just there to accompany the lead.
Pradeep E. Raghav’s editing helps a lot to the showcase of characters and especially reveals the twists and turns like the portions revealing Mysskin and Pradeep Ranganathan’s characters meets just before the interval. Niketh Bommireddy’s lenses capture the hilarious closeups of the lead freaking outs just equally as the emotional scenes in the second half.
George Maryan and Indumathy Manikandan as Ragghavan’s parents are written for the hanging guilt over Raghvan’s head where the audience are given a startling reality check of the devoted parents. A perfectly plotted character break that is emotionally satisfying and a much needed reality check for the prominent character who roamed around aimlessly.
Dragon is all yours from now ♥️ pic.twitter.com/kquRGDhS64
— Ashwath Marimuthu (@Dir_Ashwath) February 21, 2025
The Negative Aspect
While a major part of Raghavan’s redemption was based on his declared marriage and how loyal and mature Pallavi (Kayadu Lohar) is, the abrupt and indecisive ending seems off. A beautiful love story that had good potential to end on a good note, that would have matched the inspiring aspect of the film as well was skipped for a celebratory cameo at the very end.
The Verdict
Dragon, as Director Ashwath Marimuthu rightfully said doesn’t come close to the scope of Don while there is a visible resemblance acknowledged. Curating a flawed character who on one hand simply wants to be successful for the sake of avenging his inner ego and completely forgets about the people around him or his own flaws is carefully placed on the balanced screenplay that is sprinkled with a gracious amount of fun, romance and relatable characters. ‘Dragon’ partakes in the tomfoolery of what is perceived as ‘Cool’ but gives the reality of youngsters who lose precious time in their life. A Proper Entertainer that has the flavors and surprising elements for a sure Blockbuster.
