Dragon Movie Plot

D Ragavan (Pradeep Ranganathan) is a diligent and academically successful student. However, after a girl dismisses him for not embodying the 'bad boy' persona, Ragavan transforms into a rebellious figure in college, neglecting his studies and accumulating 48 backlogs. While he deceives his unsuspecting parents by pretending to attend work, he instead spends his time at a friend's house. The catalyst for change occurs when his college girlfriend, Keerthy (Anupama Parameswaran), ends their relationship due to his irresponsible behavior.

Dragon Movie Review

The film Dragon, directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, opens with an engaging premise set in a college environment where the principal, Mayilvahanan (Mysskin), encourages interaction between male and female students and expresses no objections to their romantic relationships. The narrative follows the journey of a struggling student, and Dragon begins with a captivating start. Gradually, through a mix of poignant moments and occasional missteps, the film, featuring Pradeep Ranganathan, develops a connection with the audience, fostering a sense of empathy in a gentler manner.

A gold medallist in computer science at the school level, Ragavan's life takes a pivotal turn when he is rejected by his crush solely because he does not fit the 'bad boy' archetype. While it remains uncertain whether the schoolgirl maintained her preferences as she matured, Ragavan internalizes this experience and enters college determined to adopt a more rebellious persona. Thus begins the transformation of D Ragavan into Dragon. His journey is marked by a series of challenges, including a confrontation with Mayilvahanan, a proposal from his girlfriend Keerthi, and the accolades he receives for his perceived masculinity. However, Ragavan's life is far from uncomplicated, as reality soon sets in. Keerthi realizes that practicality is essential in a partnership, and she expresses that she can only envision Ragavan as a lover, not a life partner, after six years together. This revelation sheds light on her perspective, which the film does not fully explore, indicating that her viewpoint, while valid, is underrepresented.

Returning to the narrative of Dragon, it is evident that our protagonist is poised to emerge stronger following his romantic setback. This rejection serves as a catalyst for Ragavan, prompting him to pursue a more serious path that transcends mere campus life. As he progresses and ultimately achieves success—albeit through questionable means—he also discovers love with Pallavi (Kayadu Lohar). The film introduces a more intricate plot at this juncture. Pradeep Ranganathan captivates the audience once again with his adept handling of various scenarios. Although the first half of the film suffers from inconsistent reasoning and some unwarranted glorification, Dragon evolves into a genuine coming-of-age tale with a redemption arc in the latter half. When Ragavan acknowledges that he did not deserve Keerthi, who reenters his life in a plausible manner, he is determined to confront the challenges that arise, leading to a compelling climax in the final 45 minutes as Dragon seeks to rectify the missteps of the earlier narrative.

I found it particularly troubling when Keerthi returned to apologize to Ragavan. It raises the question of why one would express remorse to an individual who has chosen to act petulantly for the sake of appearances. Furthermore, why should one apologize for opting to lead a respectable life instead of succumbing to the influence of a ne'er-do-well? However, if one is willing to overlook this, the narrative of Dragon swiftly transitions into a redemption arc, showcasing Ragavan's efforts toward an objective that appears nearly unattainable.

The film's strengths are significantly attributed to Pradeep's casting, which is essential, but even more noteworthy is the inclusion of YouTube personalities, VJ Siddhu and Harshath Khan, who portray Ragavan's steadfast friend and Kutty Dragon, respectively. I initially harbored doubts regarding the latter's character, and after a wave of excessive praise, the junior is aptly corrected by his mentor. The film earns commendation for its handling of the climax. In a Tamil cinema landscape that often avoids depicting its heroes in failure, Ashwath skillfully navigates a balance that merges the best of both worlds. While the resolution revolves around whether Ragavan ultimately achieves success and finds happiness with his true love, the film cleverly employs a series of narrative choices that shield it from accusations of glorification and excessive hero-worship.

Dragon Movie Verdict

Dragon offers a compelling experience for theatre-goers. It provides ample entertainment while also imparting valuable lessons relevant to contemporary audiences. By looking past certain idealizations and the portrayal of women apologizing for men's misdeeds, one can appreciate Dragon as a narrative about the journey of redemption. The film features exhilarating moments and a plethora of humor, culminating in a post-credit surprise that viewers are encouraged to discover on their own.

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