Wikipedia

Dragon (2025 film)

Dragon is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language coming-of-age comedy drama film written and directed by Ashwath Marimuthu and produced by AGS Entertainment. The film stars Pradeep Ranganathan in the titular role, alongside Anupama Parameswaran and Kayadu Lohar, George Maryan, K. S. Ravikumar, Gautham Vasudev Menon and Mysskin. In the film, a young man lands in trouble after a crooked attempt to become successful, threatening to destroy his relationship, employment and family

Dragon
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAshwath Marimuthu
Screenplay byAshwath Marimuthu
Story byAshwath Marimuthu
Pradeep Ranganathan
Produced byKalpathi S. Aghoram
Kalpathi S. Ganesh
Kalpathi S. Suresh
Starring
CinematographyNiketh Bommireddy
Edited byPradeep E. Ragav
Music byLeon James
Production
company
Distributed bysee below
Release date
  • 21 February 2025 (2025-02-21)
Running time
155 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budget₹37 crore[2][3][4]

The film was officially announced in April 2024 under the tentative titles #AGS26 and #PradeepAshwathCombo, as it is AGS' 26th production and the first collaboration between Pradeep and Ashwath, and the official title was announced a few days later. Principal photography commenced the following month in Chennai. The film has music composed by Leon James, cinematography handled by Niketh Bommi and editing by Pradeep E. Ragav.

Dragon was released worldwide on 21 February 2025 in theatres to positive reviews from critics who praised the narrative, performances (especially Pradeep), Ashwath's storytelling and screenplay.

Plot

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Ragavan "Dragon" Dhanapal is an obedient and high-performing boy in school. But when a girl rejects him for not being the ‘bad boy’ that he isn’t, Ragavan becomes a notorious college rowdy, who refuses to study and clear his 48 arrears. Even as he fakes going to the office to his parents while he wastes time at his friends’ house, the tipping point to achieve something comes after his girlfriend from college Keerthi breaks up with him for his bad behaviour.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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After the success of Oh My Kadavule in 2020, Silambarasan congratulated director Ashwath Marimuthu for the film's success, leading speculations that they would collaborate for the director's next directorial venture.[5] Reports of a potential collaboration persisted through January 2022,[6][7] with AGS Entertainment reported as the project's funder.[8] Touted to be a romantic comedy, production was reportedly set to begin later that year.[9] However, for unspecified reasons, the project was eventually shelved.[10] Silambarasan moved on to STR 48, directed by Desingh Periyasamy, while Ashwath took on the Telugu remake of Oh My Kadavule.[11]

In December 2023, Pradeep Ranganathan, a long-time friend of Ashwath Marimuthu, was reported to collaborate with him for Pradeep's third acting film after Love Today (2022) and Love Insurance Kompany.[12] AGS Entertainment was confirmed to be the project's funder, and made a public announcement on 10 April 2024, confirming the project, tentatively titled #PradeepAshwathCombo and #AGS26.[13] The team retained collaborators from their previous films, including composer Leon James, editor Pradeep E. Ragav, and publicity designer Kabilan Chelliah; S. M. Venkat Manickam was appointed as the executive producer by the production house, while cinematographer Niketh Bommireddy was chosen to handle the cinematography.[14] Ashwath clarified the script he narrated to Silambarasan was not the same, after reports claimed it to be.[15] The film's official title, Dragon, was announced on 5 May.[16]

Casting

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Pradeep would be playing a student as a main character for the first time.[17][18] Anupama Parameswaran would be pairing opposite Pradeep,[19] in her fourth Tamil film after Kodi (2016), Thalli Pogathey (2021) and Siren (2024).[20][21] K. S. Ravikumar, Gautham Vasudev Menon and Mysskin were confirmed to be playing important roles, in their first collaboration with Pradeep and Ashwath.[22][23] YouTubers VJ Siddhu and Harshath Khan would make their film acting sophomore after Nenjamundu Nermaiyundu Odu Raja (2019),[24] while Kayadu Lohar would make her Tamil film debut with this film.[25] Shortly thereafter, George Maryan and Indumathy Manikandan were announced to play the title character's parents.[26]

Filming

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Principal photography began with first schedule on 5 May 2024 with an inaugural puja at a film city in Chennai on the day before.[27] On 4 October, the director confirmed that the filming has entered into its last schedule.[28][needs update]

Music

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Dragon
Soundtrack album by
Leon James
GenreFeature film soundtrack
LanguageTamil
LabelThink Music India
ProducerLeon James
Singles from Dragon
  1. "Rise of Dragon"
    Released: 2 January 2025
  2. "Vazhithunaiye"
    Released: 13 January 2025
  3. "Yendi Vittu Pona"
    Released: 28 January 2025

The music and background score is composed by Leon James, in his first collaboration with Pradeep; and his third with Ashwath after Oh My Kadavule and its Telugu remake Ori Devuda.[29] The first single "Rise of Dragon" was released on 2 January 2025.[30] The second single "Vazhithunaiye" released on 13 January 2025.[31] The third single in Tamil "Yendi Vittu Pona" sung by Silambarasan released on 28 January 2025.[32]

Tamil
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Rise of Dragon"Vignesh ShivanAnirudh Ravichander3:30
2."Vazhithunaiye"Vignesh Shivan
Ko Sesha		Sid Sriram
Sanjana Kalamanje		3:39
3."Yendi Vittu Pona"Ko SeshaSilambarasan04:27
4."Maatikkinaaru Orutharu"Gana ApellowGana Apellow03:20
Telugu
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Rise of Dragon"Ramajogayya SastryLeon James, Nadisha Thomas 
2."Madhuvaramae"Ramajogayya SastrySarath Santhosh, Srinisha Jayaseelan 
3."Yendhukae Nannodhilaavu"Ramajogayya SastryDeepak Blue 

Release

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Theatrical

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Dragon was initially scheduled to be released theatrically on 14 February 2025, but was postponed to avoid a box-office clash with Vidaamuyarchi (2025). It was released on 21 February 2025.[33][34]

Distribution

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The overseas distribution rights were acquired by Phars Film Co. and United India Exporters.[35][36] The Nizam and Ceded Area region theatrical rights were sold to Mythri Movie Makers,[37] while the theatrical rights were sold to Poorvi Pictures in Coastal Andhra region.[38] The theatrical rights was sold to AA Films in North India,[39] and Oveum International in Karnataka.[40]

Home media

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On 15 January 2025, Netflix announced that they have acquired the digital streaming rights of Dragon along with a list of 8 other films.[41][42]

Reception

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Critical response

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Dragon received positive reviews from critics, who praised the narrative, performances (especially Pradeep), Ashwath's storytelling and screenplay.[43]

Harshini SV of The Times of India gave 4/5 stars and wrote "'Behind all the jokes and silliness the film paints the situations with, there is something deeper to look at. [...] Ashwath Marimuthu’s second outing is also a fun, emotional, and fully charged ride."[44] Avinash Ramachandran of The Indian Express gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote "With a terrific Pradeep Ranganathan in the lead, director Ashwath Marimuthu and his team have delivered a heavily preachy yet immensely entertaining film that knows its audience."[45] Anusha Sundar of OTTPlay gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Dragon warrants for a theatre watch. There is enough and more for the audience of today’s age to get entertained and schooled at the same time. [...] Dragon becomes a film on how redemption works."[46]

Janani K of India Today gave 3/5 stars and wrote "Dragon is a satisfying watch with minor shortcomings. Despite convenient writing, the screenplay keeps the story going with some interesting twists and turns."[47] Bhuvanesh Chandar of The Hindu wrote "Ragavan’s story is a modern take, an antidote, to the countless Tamil college dramas with heroes proclaiming the swag with which young men should carry themselves."[48] Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times wrote "Dragon is a film that is fun and entertaining with an underlying social message that is important at this point in time. Money is important but is money everything in life? Director Ashwath Marimuthu and Pradeep Ranganathan have aced this outing."[49]

References

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  1. ^ "Dragon". Central Board of Film Certification. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Is Dragon similar to Don? Director Ashwath Marimuthu rejects comparisons". India Today. 12 February 2025. Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  3. ^ "We believe in the story first: Archana Kalpathi". The Times of India. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  4. ^ "Did Dragon Film Maker Ashwath Marimuthu Take A Dig At Directors Shankar, Atlee And Vetrimaaran? Netizens Think So". Times Now. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  5. ^ "Simbu lauds Ashok Selvan and Ritika Singh's Oh My Kadavule". India Today. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Has Simbu signed his next with director Ashwath Marimuthu?". The Times of India. 20 January 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Simbu to Act in Director Ashwath Marimuthu's Next". News18. 21 January 2022. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  8. ^ sharpana (19 January 2022). "'ஓ மை கடவுளே' பட இயக்குநர் அஷ்வத் மாரிமுத்துவுடன் இணையும் சிம்பு". Puthiya Thalaimurai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  9. ^ Menon, Thinkal (19 January 2022). "Silambarasan, Ashwath Marimuthu to team up for a project for AGS Productions". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 5 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Director Ashwath Marimuthu on his film with Silambarasan: We'll go ahead when he is ready". The Times of India. 12 April 2024. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  11. ^ Manu, Hridyambika A (19 December 2023). "Is Pradeep Ranganathan teaming up with THIS director for his next?". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Pradeep Ranganathan Set To Join Hands With Oh My Kadavulae Director Ashwath Marimuthu". News18. 21 December 2023. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  13. ^ AGS Entertainment [@Ags_production] (10 April 2024). "Thrilled to bring to you yet another blockbuster combo for our next production! #KalpathiSAghoram #KalpathiSGanesh #KalpathiSSuresh proudly announce #AGS26 #PradeepAshwathCombo" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Pradeep Ranganathan's next untitled announcement video unveiled". DT Next. 10 April 2024. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  15. ^ Sundar, Anusha (12 April 2024). "'Silambarasan sir appreciated Oh My Kadavule for 1.5 hours,' says Ashwath Marimuthu, who adds he has a different script for the actor". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  16. ^ "'Dragon': First look of Pradeep Ranganathan - 'Oh My Kadavule' director's next out". The Hindu. 12 October 2024. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  17. ^ M, Narayani (12 October 2024). "First look of Pradeep Ranganathan's Dragon out". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  18. ^ "Pradeep Ranganathan turns a worstu student for Ashwath Marimuthu's 'Dragon'; first look revealed". The Times of India. 12 October 2024. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Anupama Parameswaran onboard Dragon". DT Next. 12 October 2024. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  20. ^ Sundar, Anusha (30 June 2024). "Dragon: Anupama Parameswaran cast opposite Pradeep Ranganathan in Ashwath Marimuthu film | Deets inside". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  21. ^ "Dragon: Anupama Parameswaran to romance Pradeep Ranganathan? Here's the latest update". Desimartini. 30 June 2024. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  22. ^ "THESE three directors-turned-actors join Pradeep Ranganathan's 'Dragon'". The Times of India. 10 November 2024. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  23. ^ Mullappilly, Sreejith (9 November 2024). "Mysskin, Gautham Vasudev Menon, and KS Ravikumar join Dragon cast". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  24. ^ M, Narayani (9 November 2024). "VJ Siddhu and Harshath Khan join Pradeep Ranganathan's Dragon". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 12 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Kayadu Lohar joins Pradeep Ranganathan's Dragon". The Times of India. 7 November 2024. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  26. ^ B, Jayabhuvaneshwari (11 November 2024). "George Maryan and Indumathi Manikandan onboard Pradeep Ranganathan's Dragon". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 23 November 2024. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Dragon — Ashwath Marimuthu and Pradeep Ranganathan's film title revealed; shooting begins | Deets inside". Desimartini. 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  28. ^ "Ashwath Marimuthu reveals Pradeep Ranganathan starrer Dragon update". Cinema Express. 4 October 2024. Archived from the original on 7 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Pradeep Ranganathan's next untitled announcement video unveiled". DT Next. 10 April 2024. Archived from the original on 21 November 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Pradeep Ranganathan and Gautham Vasudev Menon shake their leg to 'Rise of Dragon' song". Cinema Express. 2 January 2025. Archived from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  31. ^ Kumar, Akshay (13 January 2025). "'Vazhithunaiye' from Pradeep Ranganathan's Dragon out". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  32. ^ Kumar, Akshay (28 January 2025). "'Yendi Vittu Pona' from Pradeep-Ashwath's Dragon out". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 28 January 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2025.
  33. ^ "Release of Ashwath Marimuthu's 'Dragon' postponed to February 21". DT Next. IANS. 19 January 2025. Archived from the original on 19 January 2025. Retrieved 19 January 2025.
  34. ^ Kumar, Akshay (15 January 2025). "Pradeep-Ashwath's Dragon gets a Valentine's Day release". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 15 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  35. ^ AGS Entertainment [@Ags_production] (11 February 2025). "Proud to announce @PharsFilm acquires Overseas Distribution rights for Middle East, UK, Europe, US, Canada & Dubai! 📣🐉🔥" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 February 2025 – via Twitter.
  36. ^ AGS Entertainment [@Ags_production] (11 February 2025). "Delighted to announce @uie_offl snags Overseas Distribution rights for Malaysia, Singapore, Australia & Sri Lanka of our film #Dragon ! 📢🐉🔥" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 February 2025 – via Twitter.
  37. ^ Mythri Movie Distributors LLP [@MythriRelease] (9 February 2025). "#ReturnOfTheDragon Grand release worldwide on February 21st 💥💥NIZAM RELEASE BY @MythriRelease❤‍🔥" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 February 2025 – via Twitter.
  38. ^ AGS Entertainment [@Ags_production] (11 February 2025). "Happy to announce @MythriRelease has bagged the distribution rights for Nizam & Ceeded Area & #PoorviPictures ( @DistributorTFI ) for Coastal Andhra Pradesh of our film - #ReturnOfTheDragon ! 🐉🔥" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 February 2025 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ AGS Entertainment [@Ags_production] (11 February 2025). "Excited to announce 📣 @AAFilmsIndia secures North India Distribution rights for #Dragon ! 🐉🔥" (Tweet). Retrieved 14 February 2025 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ AGS Entertainment [@Ags_production] (11 February 2025). "Pleased to share that #OveumInternational seals the Karnataka Distribution rights of #Dragon ! 📢🐉🔥" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 February 2025 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ "2025 தமிழ் படங்கள்". Zee News (in Tamil). 15 January 2025. Archived from the original on 15 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  42. ^ "Ajith's Good Bad Ugly, Dulquer Salmaan's Kaantha, Kamal Haasan's Thug Life: Netflix announces its Tamil cinema lineup for 2025". Business Today. 15 January 2025. Archived from the original on 15 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  43. ^ "NEEK and Dragon movie LIVE UPDATES: Here's what netizens have to say about the two new Tamil releases". PINKVILLA. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  44. ^ "Dragon Movie Review : This Ashwath Marimuthu rollercoaster ride is fun & fully charged". The Times of India. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  45. ^ "Dragon Movie Review: This Pradeep Ranganathan-Ashwath Marimuthu film passes with flying colours". The Indian Express. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  46. ^ "Dragon Movie Review: Pradeep Ranganathan-Ashwath Marimuthu film amplified by fie". OTTPlay. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  47. ^ "Dragon review: Pradeep Ranganathan's coming-of-age film takes flight post-interval". India Today. 21 February 2025. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  48. ^ Chandar, Bhuvanesh (21 February 2025). "'Dragon' movie review: Pradeep Ranganathan entertains and captures the zeitgeist, again". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
  49. ^ Srinivasan, Latha (21 February 2024). "Dragon review: Pradeep Ranganathan and Ashwath Marimuthu deliver a fun-filled, youthful entertainer". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
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