The Tamil film Dragon has achieved remarkable success by surpassing ₹100 crore in worldwide box office collections during its first ten days of release. Released on February 21, 2025, the filmmaking team celebrated this milestone by sharing a new poster and announcing, "What a Kathara Kathara Blockbuster! #Dragon crosses ₹100 Cr worldwide in just 10 days! Huge thanks to our amazing audience for all the love!" This enthusiastic reception reflects the films considerable popularity among viewers.
Notably, Dragon has significantly impacted international markets, particularly the United States, where it has reportedly grossed over $1 million. With this achievement, Dragon has become the first Tamil film of 2025 to surpass ₹100 crore globally, underscoring its widespread appeal. Back home in Tamil Nadu, even amid the release of several new films, none have matched the impact of Dragon. The film has grossed nearly ₹60 crore from Tamil Nadu alone, prompting theater owners to prioritize its screenings due to persistent audience interest.
Perhaps the film's noteworthy performance extends beyond its native state; it also made waves in the Telugu market, solidifying its status as a pan-Indian success. The combination of engaging storytelling and strong performances, along with the skillful direction by Ashwath Marimuthu, has been pivotal to its widespread popularity. Industry analysts attribute the film's triumph to the fresh narrative and the growing fan base of its lead actors, including Pradeep Ranganathan, Anupama Parameswaran, and Kayadu Lohar.
Marimuthu, who earlier directed the rom-com Oh My Kadavule, expressed his gratitude on social media after achieving this milestone, announcing, "100 crore thanks for all the love you have provided my team for Dragon. Personally, when some attempted to shake my confidence before release, I say thank you to all of you." His excitement was palpable as he celebrated not just the achievement but also sent congratulatory messages to Pradeep for his second ₹100 crore film.
Pradeep Ranganathan, who debuted as a director with the 2019 film Comali and gained recognition as an actor with the successful 2022 film Love Today, also rejoiced at this new accomplishment. He previously celebrated earning ₹100 crore with Love Today, and with the success of Dragon, he has solidified his position as one of the most promising talents in the South Indian film industry. Following Dragon, he will star in Vignesh Shivan's Love Insurance Kompany, signifying his growing influence within the industry.
The figures surrounding Dragon show how well it has captivated audiences. The film opened with ₹6.5 crore on its first day and accumulated ₹50.3 crore net during its initial week. It is estimated to have earned about ₹72.5 crore net in India over 10 days, having crossed ₹95 crore globally within just 9 days of its release.
Set against the backdrop of young adulthood, Dragon tells the story of D. Ragavan Dhanapal, aka Dragon, who begins aimless after leaving college. His life takes significant turns as he experiences heartbreak and, as he begins to turn his life around on the road to redemption, he finds his past catching up with him. The film features strong performances by Anupama Parameswaran and Kayadu Lohar, alongside veteran actors George Maryan, KS Ravikumar, and Gautham Vasudev Menon, who round out the well-crafted ensemble.
The film's grand release, coupled with strategic promotions, played a significant role in attracting viewers across different markets. With its continued dominance at the box office, Dragon not only set high standards for Tamil cinema this year but also showcased the global potential of well-made South Indian films. Its success reinforces the idea of storytelling and performances over commercialized formulas, keeping audiences engaged.
Director Marimuthu and actor Ranganathan's shared commitment to quality cinema promises even more exciting ventures for South Indian filmmakers and actors alike. With Dragon achieving such heights, the future of Tamil cinema looks increasingly promising.