Pradeep Ranganathan is back and he’s aiming high with his new film Dragon, which marks another significant chapter following the mega success of his previous hit, Love Today. With early box office numbers rolling in, expectations are sky-high. Can he recreate the magic?
After Love Today took the box office by storm, pulling in over ₹100 crore worldwide, Ranganathan has returned with Dragon, directed by Ashwath Marimuthu. The film opened today and has already seen impressive pre-sales figures of ₹2.25 crore, indicating strong audience interest.
“I’m quite confident about Dragon,” Ranganathan stated, addressing the nuances of the film’s storyline. “Its story is not about a hero in college but about someone who is a zero after college life. People think the film glorifies arrears, but that's not the case. It talks about the value of education.” Ranganathan shared his personal connection to the theme, noting, “I was a first-generation graduate in my family, and I know how important education is to shape a person.”
While Dragon grounds itself within the realms of Chennai and Hyderabad, it also showcases Ranganathan's growth as both actor and director. His proactive approach to film-making is evident; he has taken his time to produce quality content rather than rushing through multiple projects for the sake of profit.
Interestingly, Ranganathan's process reflects his wisdom about the industry. “I’m not here to make money,” he confessed during our discussion. “If I had cashed in on Love Today’s success, I would have made at least ten films by now.”
The excitement around Dragon is palpable, especially as it competes with Dhanush’s Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam. While both films aim to attract audiences, initial reviews suggest Dragon has struck the right chord with viewers. The film recorded 78,000 ticket sales for its first day, promising significant earnings as it rolls out across theaters.
Dragon explores themes of personal growth and flawed characters—similar to Love Today. Ranganathan reflects, “Love Today was about learning from your mistakes. At the end of the film, the protagonist tries to correct his mistakes and become a more grounded human being.” It’s this relatability paired with humor and thoughtful narratives about real-life struggles, like dealing with failure and success, which has sewn Ranganathan’s works deep within the hearts of viewers.
His desire to resonate with young audiences stems from personal experience. Ranganathan believes there’s much to learn from mistakes, and films serve as mirrors to life’s challenges. “Never did we say in Love Today this is how you should be. They were humans making human errors,” he explained.
Looking forward, Ranganathan remains committed to producing films with depth, taking the necessary time to craft stories before releasing them. Reflecting on his collaborations, he expressed admiration for director Vignesh Shivan, who helmed Love Insurance Kompany, stating, “Vignesh Shivan is someone who presents his actors beautifully, and I’m excited about this upcoming venture.”
While Dragon gears up to face Dhanush's entry at the box office, the expectations weigh heavily upon it. The trade analysts believe Dragon could collect anywhere between ₹5 crore and ₹7 crore gross from Tamil Nadu alone during its opening weekend.
Fans eagerly anticipate if the film will follow Love Today to the coveted ₹100 crore mark. Ranganathan’s position as one of the top new talents hinges on Dragon’s performance, potentially solidifying his reputation as a bankable star.
There’s no denying the palpable excitement and growing fan base for Ranganathan, who has emerged as one of the most important voices of contemporary Tamil cinema.
The anticipation is electrifying, and audiences are poised for another remarkable cinematic experience with Dragon. With innovation and heartfelt storytelling, Pradeep Ranganathan is undoubtedly making his mark.