Movie Name : Return of the Dragon
Release Date : February 21, 2025
Cast : Pradeep Ranganathan, KS Ravi Kumar, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Vj Siddhu, Harshath Khan, Anupama Parameshwaran, Kayadu Lohar, Mariam George, Indhumathy Manigandan, Thenappan etc.
Director : Ashwath Marimuthu
Music Director : Leon James
Telugumopo.com Rating : 2.75/5
Story:
D. Raghavan (Pradeep Ranganathan), a brilliant student and school topper, dreams of confessing his love after securing a gold medal in his Plus 2 exams. However, his world turns upside down when the girl he loves rejects him, claiming she is drawn to “bad boys” instead of nice guys.
Determined to redefine himself, Raghavan transforms into “Dragon” and enters engineering college with a rebellious streak. His new persona impresses Keerthi (Anupama), but his academics take a backseat, leaving him with a staggering 48 backlogs. Despite being given a final opportunity by the college principal (Mysskin), Dragon squanders it and faces suspension.
For two years, he deceives his parents into believing he has a job while leading a carefree life with his friends. However, Keerthi, realizing his lack of responsibility, decides to move on and agrees to an arranged marriage.
Shattered by the break-up, Dragon takes to dishonesty to secure employment. Through the years, he rises up the success ladder, earning riches, a beautiful bungalow, and a sporty car. Life is rosier than rosy as he gets engaged to Pallavi (Kayadu Lohar), who hails from a prestigious family.
But just when everything appears to be going smoothly, an unexpected reunion with his former principal threatens to expose his dark secret. The truth about his fake certificate surfaces, putting his entire future at risk. Will Dragon face the consequences of his actions? Can he right his past wrongs and reclaim his dignity? Experience this rollercoaster of emotions on the big screen!
Review:
Director Ashwath Marimuthu gives a colorful and entertaining film with a mix of humor and emotional depth, making it a wonderful experience for children. He cleverly establishes Pradeep Ranganathan’s character right from the opening scene, giving an interesting story with good punchlines that keeps the audience interested.
One of the most striking aspects of the film is the sweet bond between Pradeep Ranganathan and his on-screen father. Their conversations, filled with humor and true emotions, bring substance to the plot. The well-handled comedy scenes offer steady entertainment, sustaining the energy throughout.
Pradeep Ranganathan is outstanding in his performance, successfully blending humor and emotion. His impeccable timing, as a comic, enhances the charm of the film, with his performance proving highly engaging. Mariam George, as his father, plays a natural and sincere act that further adds to the emotional connection.
Anupama Parameswaran enthralls in her expressive portrayal, while Kayadu Lohar adds stylish and confident glamour to the screen.
Mysskin makes an enduring impression with his dominating screen presence, forceful dialogues, and boiling expressions. Gautham Menon, who plays the role of the head of an IT firm, performs a serene yet attractive role that adds to the story.
Having a solid supporting cast, comprising Harshath Khan, the movie achieves the perfect blend of comedy, drama, and emotions.
Director Ashwath Marimuthu effectively creates a convincing lead protagonist in Dragon, who is a force to be reckoned with on screen. The overall execution of the film, though, does not catch up with the depth of its hero. Though the narrative has some good moments, some of the pivotal scenes lack development, and some sequences bog the story down, rendering it predictable at times. A tighter execution of the build-up to the hero’s transformation would have provided much-needed thrills.
The latter half picks up speed, particularly the climax, infusing vigor into the narrative. Yet, the build-up towards it is not intriguing, since the script is mostly traditional. With a few surprising turns of events, the movie would have been much more captivating.
While it has well-written character arcs, an effective background score, and emotional moments to back it up, the movie also has issues with pacing, especially with the second half. A more tightened-up screenplay and greater development of supporting characters would have given the entire experience a lift, making it a more engaging watch for the viewer.
Return of the Dragon is a youthful comedy entertainer that delivers a mix of humor and emotion. While the film excels in its core theme and emotional moments, its predictable screenplay and sluggish pacing in certain parts work against it.
