Okay, so "Dragon, " the new movie from Pradeep Ranganathan, is a bit of a rollercoaster. At first, it throws you into this college world with Ragavan, played by Ranganathan himself. He’s that typical college guy who doesn’t seem to care about anything, and honestly, he comes across as a bit of a jerk, kind of like his character in "Love Today, " but maybe a little less so.
The first part of the movie feels pretty standard – you’ve got the usual college drama, a bunch of friends hanging out, and some jokes that don’t always hit the mark. But stick with it, because after the break, things get way more interesting. The movie takes some turns you probably won’t see coming, and that’s where director Ashwath Marimuthu really shows his stuff. Ragavan actually starts to grow as a person and understand where he went wrong, which is a nice change. And thankfully, it doesn’t end in some cheesy, over-the-top way. It feels more real.
Anupama Parameswaran, who plays Keerthi, is fantastic, especially when things get emotional. The other actors, like George Maryan as Ragavan’s dad and Mysskin as the principal, really add something to the story too. Visually, the movie looks great, thanks to Niketh Bommireddy’s camera work, and the editing by Pradeep E Ragav keeps things moving. Leon James’ music definitely sets the right mood.
Look, "Dragon" isn’t perfect. The way the romance starts out feels a little off, and sometimes the story feels a bit too convenient. But overall, it’s an entertaining movie about growing up and learning from your mistakes, with a second half that really pulls you in. Ranganathan is fun to watch in the lighter moments, though maybe he could have brought a bit more depth to the heavier scenes. If you’re looking for a coming-of-age story with some surprises and a good message, "Dragon" is worth checking out.