Movie Name: Return of the Dragon
Release Date: February 21, 2025
Filmyjosh Rating: 2.75/5
Starring: Pradeep Ranganathan, KS Ravi Kumar, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, Vj Siddhu, Harshath Khan, Anupama Parameshwaran, Kayadu Lohar, Mariam George, Indhumathy Manigandan, Thenappan, and others
Director: Ashwath Marimuthu
Producers: Kalpathi S Aghoram, Kalpathi S Ganesh, Kalpathi S Suresh
Music Director: Leon James
Cinematographer: Niketh Bommi
Editor: Pradeep E Ragav
Related Links: Trailer
After the success of Love Today, Pradeep Ranganathan returns to the big screen with his latest project, Return of the Dragon, a film directed by Ashwath Marimuthu. This film, featuring Anupama Parameshwaran as the female lead, promises a relatable story for the youth. The movie has now hit theaters, but does it live up to expectations? Let’s dive in.
Storyline:
Return of the Dragon follows the journey of Dragan (Pradeep Ranganathan), a college dropout who has failed in 48 subjects. At the same time, his girlfriend Keethy (Anupama Parameshwaran) breaks up with him. In an act of revenge, Dragan uses fake certificates to land a high position. However, his peaceful life takes a turn when his principal (Mysskin) reappears and challenges him to finish his studies or risk losing everything. Dragan is forced to re-enter college, and the movie tracks whether he can redeem himself, complete his studies, and repair his life.
Plus Points:
Director Ashwath Marimuthu, known for Oh My Kadavule, presents a highly relatable subject, particularly for the younger generation. The movie delivers a valuable life lesson—there are no shortcuts in life, and one must work hard to achieve success. The latter half of the film presents this message with great intensity and keeps you engaged.
Pradeep Ranganathan once again shines in his role. His emotional expression, especially in the climax, shows maturity and depth. Anupama Parameshwaran takes on a more serious role and delivers a strong performance. Kayadu Lohar, who plays the girl Dragan eventually falls for, impresses with her role. Mysskin’s portrayal of the strict college principal adds depth to the film, and his performance is a major highlight.
The second half of the movie, with its college scenes and Dragan’s transformation from a fraudulent person to someone who genuinely works hard, is depicted effectively and is one of the film’s strongest points.
Minus Points:
The film’s slow pace and lengthy runtime are significant drawbacks. Director Ashwath Marimuthu spends too much time on Dragan’s fake certificates and ascent to a high position, which could have been shown more succinctly. This causes the emotional core of the film to feel rushed and underdeveloped.
The first half of the movie lacks engaging moments, and the love story between Dragan and Keethy could have been explored in more depth. The film needs tighter editing, as the runtime could be shortened by at least 15 minutes, making it a more streamlined experience.
While the college transformation is well handled, the emotional moments could have been more gripping. The second half feels lacking in intensity, and some scenes drag unnecessarily, reducing the overall impact.
Technical Aspects:
Leon James composes the music for the film, but the soundtrack doesn’t leave a lasting impact. None of the songs stand out, although the background score is commendable. The Telugu dubbing is effective, and the film’s production values are solid. The dialogues are well-written, but the editing, particularly in the first half, feels patchy and can be improved for better pacing.
Ashwath Marimuthu’s direction, while competent, struggles with pacing issues and an overly stretched conflict. The movie handles a contemporary issue—students taking shortcuts and facing consequences—well, but the execution becomes tedious with its drawn-out narration.
Verdict:
Return of the Dragon has an engaging premise but falters due to its slow pace and unnecessarily extended runtime. While the performances and some key moments stand out, the film’s drawn-out narration takes away from its potential impact. If you’re looking for a youthful drama with a relatable message, this film might be worth a watch, but keep your expectations in check.
Filmyjosh Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by Filmyjosh Team