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Dragon Movie Review: A fiery ride of redemption with some unchecked Glorifications

Dragon is an engaging film that balances humor and redemption but struggles with glorification issues. Pradeep Ranganathan delivers a standout performance in this entertaining yet flawed drama.

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Pradeep Ranganathan in Dragon movie scene

Dragon, directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, blends humor with a coming-of-age redemption arc, offering an entertaining yet flawed narrative. While Pradeep Ranganathan delivers an engaging performance, the film’s glorifications and certain character choices may require viewers to overlook some problematic elements.

Plot Summary: The making of Dragon

D. Ragavan (Pradeep Ranganathan) starts as an obedient, academically brilliant student. However, after being rejected by a girl for not being the stereotypical “bad boy,” he transforms into a rebellious college troublemaker, racking up 48 arrears and living a lie with his gullible parents. His downward spiral continues until his college sweetheart, Keerthy (Anupama Parameswaran), breaks up with him due to his reckless ways. This marks a turning point, pushing Ragavan towards change.

Movie Review: A tale of reinvention with questionable moments

The film opens on a promising note, setting up a college atmosphere where the principal Mayilvahanan (Mysskin) takes a progressive stance on student relationships. However, what starts as an intriguing character arc for Ragavan soon turns into a glorified ‘bad boy’ transformation, making it seem as though rebellion and arrogance are prerequisites for respect and admiration.

Ragavan’s journey from a computer science gold medallist to a college rebel feels exaggerated, and while the film does well in portraying his downfall, it lacks depth in showing the impact on others—especially Keerthy, whose perspective remains underexplored.

When Keerthy leaves Ragavan after six years, citing that she can only see him as a lover but not a life partner, her reasoning is solid. However, the film frames her as someone who eventually apologizes to Ragavan, which feels unnecessary and problematic. Why should a woman apologize for choosing a stable life over an irresponsible partner? This is one of the film’s weaker points.

Despite these missteps, Dragon finds its rhythm in the second half, with Ragavan pursuing a redemption arc that feels earned. The climax, in particular, is a highlight, offering a smartly written resolution that balances realism with the commercial elements expected in Tamil cinema.

Performances & Technical Aspects

  • Pradeep Ranganathan shines in a role tailor-made for him, effortlessly switching between humor, arrogance, and redemption.
  • Anupama Parameswaran as Keerthy delivers a commendable performance, though her character is underwritten.
  • Kayadu Lohar as Pallavi adds a fresh dynamic, though her character’s impact remains minimal.
  • VJ Siddhu and Harshath Khan add comic relief, with Harshath’s role as ‘Kutty Dragon’ standing out despite initial concerns of glorification.
  • Ashwath Marimuthu’s direction is sharp in emotional moments but struggles with justifying certain character choices.

The background score and cinematography enhance the high-energy moments, particularly in the film’s last 45 minutes, which bring both emotional weight and entertainment.

Verdict: An entertaining yet flawed ride

Dragon is worth a theatre watch for its humor, engaging screenplay, and strong performances. While it excels in delivering a redemption arc, its handling of gender dynamics and glorification of reckless behavior leaves room for debate. If you can look past these elements, Dragon offers an enjoyable mix of laughs, drama, and a gripping climax.

Entertainment

Gaurav Khanna wins Bigg Boss 19, lifts trophy and Rs 50 lakh prize

Gaurav Khanna has been crowned the winner of Bigg Boss 19, securing the trophy and Rs 50 lakh after a competitive finale.

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Television actor Gaurav Khanna has been declared the winner of Bigg Boss 19, bringing the curtain down on a season packed with drama, intense face-offs and emotional moments. He secured the top spot after a closely fought finale, with Farhana Bhatt finishing as the first runner-up.

Gaurav Khanna’s steady game pays off

Premiering on August 24 with 18 contestants, the season showcased shifting alliances, sharp strategies and memorable confrontations. Despite being seen as quiet in the early weeks, Gaurav Khanna gradually emerged as one of the strongest voices inside the house. His composed demeanour and calculated task performance helped him build momentum through the competition.

Farhana Bhatt ends as runner-up

Farhana Bhatt, known for her dynamic presence and determination throughout the season, finished second. Although she narrowly missed the title, her journey remained one of the standout tracks of the show.

Finale eliminations

The grand finale began with multiple eliminations — Amaal Mallik was the first finalist to bow out, followed by Tanya Mittal, and then Pranit More, leaving Gaurav and Farhana as the top two contenders.
Gaurav ultimately lifted the trophy and took home a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh.

With the conclusion of Bigg Boss 19, the show wraps another season marked by strategy, rivalry and heartfelt moments that kept viewers engaged from start to finish.

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Dhurandhar review: Ranveer Singh roars back, Akshaye Khanna shines in intense spy thriller

Ranveer Singh returns with a ferocious performance in Dhurandhar, supported by Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and a gripping espionage storyline set against real historical events.

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Dhurandhar review

Ranveer Singh makes a striking return to the big screen with Dhurandhar, delivering a fierce, layered performance in Aditya Dhar’s ambitious spy thriller. Blending historical terror incidents with a fictional revenge saga, the film explores India’s covert response to cross-border terrorism through the secret project ‘Dhurandhar’.

A brutal world built around revenge and espionage

Set around the IC-814 Kandahar hijack and the 2001 Parliament attack, Dhurandhar opens with Ajay Sanyal, an Intelligence Bureau officer played by R Madhavan, who strongly opposes releasing captured terrorists. Despite his resistance, bureaucracy prevails, setting the stage for the covert mission he later leads.

The project introduces its central weapon — Humza Ali Mazari, later revealed to be Jaskirat Singh Rangil — portrayed by Ranveer Singh with ferocity and emotional depth. Dropped straight into Karachi’s dangerous Lyari district, Humza navigates a nexus of gangs, politicians, and the ISI, with the narrative also touching upon tensions between local Pakistanis and Baloch communities.

Performances that elevate the film

Akshaye Khanna nearly steals the spotlight as a feared Lyari gangster inspired by Rehman ‘Dakait’ Baloch. Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of SP Chaudhry Aslam brings an intimidating presence, while Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal leaves a lingering impact despite limited screen time.

Sara Arjun plays Yalina with conviction, and the film also features an unrecognisable Gaurav Gera in a surprise appearance.

Music, violence, and a split narrative

Shashwat Sachdev’s background score stands out, weaving classic Pakistani melodies with Indian retro hits to complement the film’s shifting tones. Viewers should be prepared for intense brutality, graphic torture scenes, and sudden shifts in narrative style — especially in a second half that feels markedly different from the first.

The episodic structure, archival footage, and mix of real and fictional characters add layers, though some may find the format distracting.

Ending that sets up part two

While the film does not end on a dramatic cliffhanger, its teaser for the second part — scheduled for March 19, 2026 — ensures audiences will return to witness the conclusion of Humza’s journey.

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Entertainment

120 Bahadur box office day 1: Farhan Akhtar’s film starts slow with Rs 2.35 crore opening

Farhan Akhtar’s new release 120 Bahadur opened to Rs2.35 crore, while De De Pyaar De 2 continued its strong hold on day eight.

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Farhan akhtar

Farhan Akhtar’s latest release 120 Bahadur hit theatres on November 21 but registered a dull opening on its first day, earning Rs 2.35 crore. In comparison, De De Pyaar De 2, which is now in its second week, continues to show stronger hold at the box office.

Slow start for 120 Bahadur on day one

The action-drama opened to modest numbers on Friday, collecting Rs2.35 crore on its first day. Despite pre-release buzz around Farhan Akhtar’s performance, the film has begun its run on the lower side.

De De Pyaar De 2 maintains its advantage

Meanwhile, De De Pyaar De 2 continues its steady run. On its eighth day, the film maintained an edge over 120 Bahadur in overall earnings, according to media. The strong hold of the Ajay Devgn-led sequel appears to have impacted the new release’s opening day business.

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