Rising Tamil-language cinema talent Pradeep Ranganathan, who made waves with his director-actor double act in “Love Today,” is challenging industry conventions with his latest venture “Dragon,” where he steps fully into the spotlight as a lead actor under the direction of longtime collaborator Ashwath Marimuthu (“Oh My Kadavule”).

The transition from behind the camera wasn’t entirely unplanned, but rather the culmination of a journey that began in his student filmmaking days. “It started from my short film days,” Ranganathan tells Variety. “When I directed my first short film with another actor, everyone in college came and spoke to him. I would be standing just beside him, but no one knew I was the director. All these people would come and talk to him, and when everyone leaves, he’d say ‘Sorry you were here, I’ll introduce them to you.’ I’d say ‘No need, it’ll be very...