What’s it about?
Raghavan (Pradeep Ranganathan), who believes that girls only like bad boys, intends to be a rebel, skip college, and live a joyful life without caring about passing exams. By the end of his engineering graduation, he is required to clear 48 supplements. Despite the fact that he doesn’t work and only fools his parents that he is working as a software professional, his girlfriend Keerthy (Anupama Parameswaran) provides him necessary support and is supportive of him.
Because of his negligence in life in general and failing to clear the exams, frustrated Keerthy (Anupama Parameswaran) leaves him and marries someone else.
Dejected, Pradeep chooses to take a job that pays him more than Keerthy’s husband. He finds a position at a software company by obtaining a forged engineering degree certificate. In his career, he quickly advances, buys a house, and an industrialist decides to give him his daughter. Pradeep quickly gets engaged to Pallavi (Kayadu Lohar), the industrialist’s daughter.
When everything appears to be going well for him, his college principal walks into his office and threatens to expose him and tell his boss about his fraudulent certificate and how he misled everyone to become successful in life. Why is the principal making his life terrible right now? Will Raghavan accept his principal’s proposal? If so, what other problems would he face?
Analysis
Pradeep Ranganathan’s previous film, “Love Today,” was a roaring hit in Telugu as well. He wrote and directed that 2022 super hit movie, but he stuck to acting only for this “Return of the Dragon,” which Ashwath Marimuthu directed. The director earlier made “Ori Devuda” with Venkatesh and Vishwaksen.
The title of “Return of Dragon” is about the protagonist Raghavan, who is known as Dragon in his college days, getting a second chance to clear the exams and going back to college. The main point about a person receiving a second opportunity to rectify past mistakes is akin to the director’s prior work, “Ori Devuda.” However, the underlying message is distinct: one must confront the enduring burden of guilt from wrongdoing, emphasizing that it is preferable to lead a modest life with integrity rather than attain success through unethical means.
The message of the film and the climax portions are the best parts of this movie. While the comedy portions in “Love Today” were enjoyable, they aren’t in this film. But there are some smart writing moments, and as well as the overall emotional touch, it works better.
The interval sequence is good. Bringing Anupama in the third act and giving a reference to the “Premam” is a nice touch. The overall sequence of realization for the protagonist in the final sequence is handled well. These are the moments that have worked despite the lack of many engaging moments. Despite the slow pace and inconsistency in the beginning, the film ends nicely and provides a solid message that is relatable.
Pradeep Ranganathan plays his character very naturally. He excels in the latter half of the film. Mysskin, playing the college principal, has brought a lot of dimension to the story. His appearance and dialogue delivery remind us of the famous SP Balasubramaniam. Anupama Parameswaran, in her brief appearance, adds value o the plot. Kayadu has good looks and screen presence. There isn’t much to discuss regarding technical values. The songs are just okay. As a writer and director, Ashwath Marimuthu leaves his mark in a few places.
Bottomline: “Return of the Dragon” isn’t as funny as Pradeep Ranganathan’s earlier film “Love Today,” but it does have its moments and a potent message. Keep your expectations low for this. The message and final sequences work.
Rating: 2.5/5
Movie: Retrun of the Dragon
Cast: Pradeep Ranganathan, Anupama Parameswaran, Kayadu Lohar, Ks Ravi Kumar, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and others
STORY: Ashwath Marimuthu, Pradeep Ranganathan
Music: Leon James
DOP: Niketh Bommi
Editor: Pradeep In Ragav
Production Designer: V. Selva Kumar
Producers: Kalpathi S Aghoram, Kalpathi S Ganesh, Kalpathi S Suresh
Written and Directed by: Ashwath Marimuthu
Release Date: Feb 21, 2025
