Dragon Movie Review
Dragon Movie Review – Raghavan has a mountain to climb —48 arrears to clear—and in his desperation, he takes a shortcut to success. It works, for a while at least. But when things start falling apart, will he find a way back, or does life have a second chance waiting just around the corner?
Dragon Movie Review – One of the most striking aspects of Ashwath Marimuthu’s Dragon is its non-judgmental approach. It never condemns its characters—not when its hero makes poor choices, nor when a girl chooses to walk away from a relationship, even if she still deeply loves him. Like Ashwath’s debut film Oh My Kadavule, there’s an element of magic in Dragon, but here, it comes more from storytelling choices than fantasy. There are plenty of coincidences—sometimes too many—and Raghavan (Pradeep Ranganathan) seems to find convenient ways to solve his problems, even when he keeps making reckless decisions. Yet, despite these narrative shortcuts, the film keeps you engaged, thanks to the emotional depth of the characters and an electrifying second half.
Raghavan is the quintessential Tamil cinema hero—he rules the college with his carefree, rowdy charm (think Gautham from Sillunu Oru Kaadhal), he’s a struggling student who never graduates (Padikathavan vibes), and he carries a mix of ego and cleverness that often lands him in trouble. But what sets Dragon apart is the world he lives in—one where everyone, from his loving parents to his loyal friends, even down to his college principal and strangers, show an extraordinary level of kindness and support. However, this isn’t a world where people blindly stand by him. They call him out on his mistakes, give him tough love, and only then offer help. Through a mix of charm, wit, and sheer luck, he somehow navigates both life and the corporate world.
In another film, these convenient twists might feel forced. But Ashwath’s storytelling choices make it work. A simple yet brilliant decision—like not showing Raghavan and Keerthi’s (Anupama Parameswaran) love story until their breakup is imminent, then unraveling their romance through a melancholic song—keeps even familiar plot points fresh.
Much like in Oh My Kadavule, Raghavan finds an incredible partner in Keerthi, who constantly puts his happiness before hers. But Dragon delivers an important message: sometimes, a missed chance is just that—a missed chance. The film’s visual storytelling, from rainy nights foreshadowing change to moments of nostalgia-filled friendships, subtly echoes Ashwath’s debut. There are even fun callbacks, like the famous Idhu ungallukku sonna puriyaadhu sir dialogue making an appearance. The film is packed with references—from Premam to Simbu, along with hilarious pop culture nods—making it a treat for the youth. Cameos from VJ Siddhu and Harshath Khan, as well as witty dialogue, add to the humor and emotional depth.
Speaking of dialogues, the film’s writing is one of its biggest strengths. Simple yet powerful lines, like “Oru thappu panitu easy ah kadantharlaam nu nenaikurom, but adhu thoratite iruku la” (We think we can move past a mistake easily, but it lingers, doesn’t it?), resonate deeply.
The casting is spot on. Pradeep Ranganathan’s portrayal of Raghavan makes you root for him, even when he keeps messing up. Anupama Parameswaran brings her usual expressiveness to Keerthi, making her a character you truly feel for. Beneath the humor and lighthearted moments, Dragon raises thought-provoking questions—Do we regret our past choices? If we got a second chance, would we do things differently? Would we even want to?
The music, seamlessly woven into the narrative, further strengthens the film. Like in Oh My Kadavule, Dragon may dabble in dreamlike moments, but it never loses its grip on reality. Actions have consequences, and personal growth is what truly drives change. With this film, Ashwath Marimuthu once again crafts an entertaining, emotional, and high-energy journey—one that keeps you hooked till the very end.