After a successful run in theatres, the Tamil film Dragon, featuring Pradeep Ranganathan, is set to make its debut on OTT platforms. Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, the film premiered in cinemas on February 21, 2025, and presents an engaging narrative about a young man’s dubious efforts to achieve success.

Alongside Pradeep, the film stars talented actors Anupama Parameswaran, Myskkin, and Kayadu Lohar. Produced by AGS Entertainment, Dragon is slated to be available for streaming on Netflix starting March 21, 2025, and will be offered in multiple languages, including Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam, and Telugu.

The film has garnered attention for its timely exploration of contemporary issues, with one Hindi review noting, “Stories like Dragon need to be told at a time when unemployment, social media-driven envy, and a general sense of dissatisfaction have gripped the youth.” Pradeep portrays D. Raghavan, a protagonist with significant flaws whose unethical attempts to climb the ladder of success threaten the very fabric of his relationships, employment stability, and family ties.

This project reflects Pradeep Ranganathan’s growing prowess in the Indian film industry. He made his directorial debut with Comali in 2019, followed by his successful sophomore project, Love Today, in 2022, where he also starred in the lead role. The latter was a box office hit and subsequently remade in Hindi as Loveyapa, featuring rising stars Khushi Kapoor and Junaid Khan.

Looking ahead, Pradeep will be seen in Love Insurance Kompany, directed by Vignesh Sivan. Notably, he has co-written the script alongside Vignesh and SJ Suryah. This film promises to bring a fresh perspective to the romantic comedy genre. It is being produced under the banners of Nayanthara, SS Lalit Kumar, and LK Vishnu Kumar, reflecting a collaborative effort among several prominent figures in the industry.

With Dragon set for its OTT release, audiences can look forward to this thought-provoking film exploring ambition and morality in a rapidly changing world.

Superstar Rajinikanth is back in the spotlight as he prepares to star in the action-packed thriller ‘Coolie’, directed by the talented Lokesh Kanagaraj. Although an official release date has yet to be announced, the production team recently dropped an intriguing promo after completing the film’s shoot, generating buzz among fans.

In a recent social media reveal, the makers shared exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the ‘Coolie’ sets, showcasing first looks at Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Shruti Haasan, and other key cast members. This sneak peek has excited audiences eager to see their favourite stars in new roles.

‘Coolie’ is poised to be an engaging action entertainer, diverging from typical narratives by featuring Rajinikanth in a role with a darker edge. He will be joined by renowned actors like Nagarjuna Akkineni and Upendra Rao, both playing significant characters that add depth to the storyline. The film is set to be more than just a standard action flick, as it explores the complexities of its characters.

Notably, the cast also includes talented actors such as Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan, and Sathyaraj, who will portray pivotal roles that enhance the film’s ensemble nature. Adding to the excitement, Aamir Khan will make a cameo appearance, while actress Pooja Hegde is confirmed to showcase her dance talent in the film, promising a visually captivating experience.

On the directing side, Lokesh Kanagaraj has recently stirred anticipation with a social media post featuring actor Karthi, hinting that ‘Kaithi 2’ is on the horizon—putting to rest any rumours regarding further delays. In interviews, Kanagaraj has expressed his ambition to further build his cinematic universe, with plans for a standalone ‘Rolex’ movie and a sequel to ‘Vikram’, marking significant expansions for his directorial universe.

Rajinikanth’s last project was ‘Vettaiyan’, where he portrayed an IPS officer, showcasing his versatility in a high-stakes police drama. Fans can also look forward to his role in ‘Jailer 2’, where he reprises his character “Tiger” Muthuvel Pandian, continuing the thrilling narrative from the original ‘Jailer’.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently shared an update on India’s Hyperloop testing facility at IIT Madras, announcing that the tube, currently 410 meters long, will soon be extended to become the world’s longest Hyperloop test tube. The facility, located at the IIT Madras Discovery Campus in Chennai, is already the longest in Asia.

“This is one of the longest tubes in Asia at 410 meters. Another 40 meters will be added, then it will become the longest in the world” the minister said.

He also witnessed a live demonstration of the Hyperloop test tube, further showcasing India’s progress in futuristic transportation.

Hyperloop: The future of high-speed transport

Hyperloop technology, originally conceptualized by Elon Musk in 2013, is considered the fifth mode of transportation. The system utilizes vacuum-sealed tubes to transport pods at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h, significantly reducing travel time while being energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

During his visit, Vaishnaw also revealed that Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory will develop electronic components for the Hyperloop project, reinforcing India’s commitment to indigenous innovation in transportation technology. Sharing a video of the Hyperloop demonstration on Instagram, he wrote, “Longest Hyperloop tube in Asia (410 m)… soon to be the world’s longest.”

India’s push for Hyperloop innovation

The Ministry of Railways had earlier allocated ₹8.34 crore to IIT Madras in May 2022 to support the development and validation of Hyperloop technology. The ongoing testing has yielded promising results, and Vaishnaw emphasized India’s readiness to embrace this groundbreaking transport system.

Congratulating IIT Madras for its role in advancing Hyperloop research, he said, “This place is so full of energy that I cannot describe it. I’m happy to see young, energetic engineers working on this technology. We are only providing small help, but I believe this will lead to great solutions for India and the world.”

IIT Madras: Leading India’s Hyperloop revolution

IIT Madras has been actively engaged in Hyperloop research for over seven years, playing a crucial role in its development. The institute has made remarkable strides, including:

Hosting Asia’s first Global Hyperloop Competition, supported by the Ministry of Railways.

Developing a 422-meter operational Hyperloop test tube and track at its Discovery Campus.

Incubating TuTr Hyperloop, a deep-tech startup, which is set to launch the world’s first commercial Hyperloop-based project in India next month.

The successful implementation of Hyperloop technology in India aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and the country’s goal of achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.