A Roaring Ride That Soars High but Occasionally Stumbles
Released on February 21, 2025, Dragon, directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, is a Tamil coming-of-age comedy-drama that blends youthful rebellion, heartfelt emotion, and a dash of moral reckoning. Produced by AGS Entertainment, the film stars Pradeep Ranganathan as the titular “Dragon” Ragavan, alongside Anupama Parameswaran, Kayadu Lohar, and a stellar supporting cast including George Maryan, Mysskin, and Gautham Vasudev Menon. With Leon James’ vibrant music, Niketh Bommireddy’s colorful cinematography, and a runtime of 2 hours and 37 minutes, Dragon aims to capture the zeitgeist of middle-class youth grappling with love, failure, and redemption. Does it live up to its fiery title? Mostly yes, though it’s not without its share of turbulence. Here’s my take after diving into this rollercoaster of a film.
The Story: From Good Boy to Bad Boy and Back Again
Dragon kicks off with D. Ragavan, a diligent schoolboy who clinches a gold medal in Computer Science in 2014, only to face rejection from his crush Anjana, who prefers “bad boys” over his goody-two-shoes demeanor. Heartbroken, Ragavan reinvents himself as “Dragon” in college, embracing a rowdy persona at AGS Engineering College in Vellore. Accumulating 48 arrears and a notorious reputation, he’s the quintessential Tamil cinema college don—until his girlfriend Keerthi (Anupama Parameswaran) dumps him six years later, branding him a failure. Fueled by spite, Dragon forges fake certificates to land a high-paying job, out-earning Keerthi’s prospective groom by a rupee. But when his college principal Mayilvahanan (Mysskin) catches wind of his deceit, Dragon is forced back to college to clear his backlog—or risk exposure. What unfolds is a journey of shortcuts, second chances, and self-discovery.
The plot’s strength lies in its relatability. Ragavan’s transformation from a studious kid to a reckless dropout mirrors the angst many feel when societal pressures collide with personal setbacks. It’s a classic underdog tale with a modern twist, tackling themes of education, honesty, and parental sacrifice. Yet, the narrative’s reliance on convenient coincidences sometimes stretches believability, making it feel more like a cinematic fantasy than a grounded drama.
The Hits: Pradeep Shines, Supporting Cast Soars
Pradeep Ranganathan is the film’s fire-breathing core, delivering a performance that’s both larger-than-life and deeply human. His Ragavan is cocky yet vulnerable, reckless yet redeemable—a cocktail of charm and chaos that keeps you rooting for him, even when he’s making terrible choices. Pradeep’s growth as an actor since Love Today is evident; he handles emotional outbursts and comedic beats with finesse, especially in the exam hall scene that crescendos into a tear-jerking climax.
The supporting cast is a treasure trove. George Maryan, as Ragavan’s father Dhanapal, steals hearts with his quiet resilience and unconditional love—his scenes with Pradeep are the emotional glue holding the film together. Mysskin’s Mayilvahanan is a revelation, a principal who’s less disciplinarian and more mentor, offering a nuanced take on authority figures in Tamil cinema. Anupama Parameswaran’s Keerthi brings warmth and agency, though her role feels truncated post-breakup. Kayadu Lohar, in her Tamil debut as Pallavi, adds a fresh spark, even if her character lacks depth. VJ Siddhu and Harshath Khan inject youthful humor, their YouTube-star energy resonating with Gen Z viewers.
Leon James’ soundtrack is a standout, weaving nostalgia and pep into the narrative. “Rise of Dragon” pumps up the college antics, while “Vazhithunaiye” tugs at the heartstrings. The background score complements the film’s tonal shifts, though the song placement occasionally disrupts the flow.
The Misses: A Bumpy First Half and Overcooked Drama
Dragon doesn’t ignite fully until its second half. The first hour meanders through familiar college tropes—fights, friendships, and romance—without much novelty. The pacing drags as Ashwath sets up Ragavan’s world, and the humor, while effective in parts, leans too heavily on social media gags that may not age well. The transition from slapstick to sentiment feels abrupt, leaving the early comedy sequences at odds with the film’s later gravitas.
The screenplay’s reliance on serendipity is a double-edged sword. Ragavan’s problems resolve too neatly—whether it’s landing a job through fraud or finding allies at every turn—testing patience at times. The moral messaging, while earnest, borders on preachy, especially in the climax, where life lessons are spelled out rather than shown. It’s a film that knows its audience but sometimes panders too hard to their expectations.
The Verdict: A Youthful Entertainer with Heart
Dragon is a film of two halves: a sluggish start that finds its footing in a roaring, emotionally charged finish. Ashwath Marimuthu, building on his Oh My Kadavule charm, crafts a world that’s exaggerated yet endearing, where characters aren’t judged but given room to grow. The film’s refusal to vilify anyone—be it Ragavan’s shortcuts or Keerthi’s rejection.adds a layer of maturity to its youthful exuberance. Niketh Bommireddy’s visuals pop with color, capturing college life’s vibrancy, while Pradeep E. Ragav’s editing keeps the second half taut.
Box office buzz backs its appeal—it’s the second highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025, crossing ₹100 crore worldwide in ten days. Posts on X praise its entertainment quotient and Pradeep’s star turn, though some call out its predictability. For me, Dragon is a wholesome ride worth the ticket price—best enjoyed on the big screen for its energy and emotional payoffs.
I’d rate it 3.75/5. It’s not a flawless beast—its wings wobble in the first half, and the fire isn’t always consistent—but when it soars, it’s a joyous spectacle. If you’re in the mood for a feel-good drama that celebrates second chances with a side of laughter, Dragon delivers. Catch it in theaters, or wait for its Netflix debut—either way, it’s a tale that’ll leave you smiling, if not entirely transformed.