Return of the Dragon is the second film by Pradeep Ranganathan, who made a name for himself with Love Today. Directed by Ashwath, known for Oh My Kadavule, the film carried high expectations. Let’s see how much it has impressed the audience.
Story: Raghavan (Pradeep Ranganathan) becomes a rebellious “bad boy” in an engineering college after the girl he loved in school rejected him for being too nice. He graduates with 48 backlogs but aspires to lead a good life. To achieve this, he obtains a fake degree and lands a job, working hard to build a better future. However, his past catches up with him when the college principal (Mysskin) re-enters his life, threatening to expose his fake certificate unless he clears all 48 backlogs within three months. Forced to return to college, Raghavan embarks on a new journey. What happens next forms the crux of Return of the Dragon.
Performances: This role is tailor-made for Pradeep Ranganathan, and he delivers a natural performance. However, the audience struggles to connect with his character due to a weak character arc. Anupama Parameswaran plays more of a supporting role rather than a traditional heroine. While her character lacks proper justification in the first half, the emotional depth woven around her in the second half works well.
Kadayu Lohar adds glamour to the film, but her role is not explored in depth. Despite solid performances from Gautham Vasudev Menon and Mysskin, their characters are underdeveloped, making them less impactful than expected. George delivers a memorable performance as an innocent father, and the supporting cast playing Raghavan’s friends provides good entertainment.
Technical Aspects: Niketh Bommireddy’s cinematography is impressive, with a strong emphasis on natural lighting, which enhances the film’s authenticity. Leon James’ songs are melodious but feel disconnected from the narrative. However, his background score is energetic and elevates key moments. The production design is top-notch, with no compromises in quality.
Analysis: Director Ashwath Marimuthu’s core idea is commendable—highlighting the importance of honesty in success. However, he takes too many cinematic liberties in conveying this message. The film’s biggest flaw is how easily the protagonist overcomes challenges, making his journey feel too simplistic. The climax, in particular, takes an overly dramatic turn, where the hero publicly confesses his mistake, gives up a well-paying job earning ₹3 lakhs per month, and becomes a delivery boy earning ₹30,000.
If the entire film had followed a logical and emotionally grounded approach from the beginning, this ending could have been impactful. However, the sudden shift makes it feel forced. Additionally, the prolonged 20-minute climax overstays its welcome, raising doubts about Ashwath’s storytelling choices. While the film has some engaging moments, it fails to make a lasting impression.
There’s nothing wrong with delivering a strong message through a conventional story. Comedy-driven narratives often make messages more accessible to the audience. However, sincerity is crucial in how the message is conveyed. Return of the Dragon falls into the trap of excessive dramatization and unnecessary scenes, diluting its impact. While it has a few entertaining moments, the lack of emotional depth and rushed storytelling make it an average film at best.
Verdict: Overall, Return of the Dragon is a below-average entertainer with a promising premise but flawed execution. The themes of honesty and success are relevant, but the film’s overly convenient resolutions and stretched climax diminish its impact. While it may appeal to fans of lighthearted dramas, there are better options available as well.
Bottom Line: Just okay entertainer
Rating: 2.5/5
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