DNA Review

DNA rings a new warning bell, becoming a powerful social statement!

Produced by Olympia Movies and directed by Nelson Venkatesan, DNA features Atharvaa, Nimisha Sajayan, Balaji Sakthivel, Ramesh Thilak, Viji Chandrasekhar, Chetan, Bigg Boss Ritwika and many others in prominent roles.

The story revolves around Anand (Atharvaa), a man broken by failed love who drowns himself in alcohol and ends up in a rehabilitation centre. Divya (Nimisha Sajayan), a woman labeled as mentally challenged simply because she lives naturally and truthfully without grasping the so-called good or bad of the world. Both families, convinced that neither can find a better match elsewhere, get them married. What begins as an arranged marriage out of compulsion transforms into a beautiful bond of mutual understanding. Just as the audience assumes the story ends here, the screenplay tightens its grip.

A joyful childbirth that brings immense happiness to the family soon turns into turmoil. When the long-awaited child is handed back to Divya, she declares, “This is not my child.” While the world brands Divya as insane, Anand alone stands by her, firmly believing her. If the child was abducted, why would someone replace it with another baby? This haunting question leads the film to its riveting climax, unraveling one mystery after another.

Nimisha Sajayan delivers a phenomenal performance — she conveys volumes through her eyes, especially in the scenes where she looks at the child. Her silent fury leaves the audience spellbound. Atharvaa too shines in one of the best performances of his career, holding his own opposite an actress of Nimisha’s calibre and showcasing a new dimension of his acting talent.

Balaji Sakthivel leaves a lasting impression as a retiring senior police officer with his realistic portrayal. The film’s standout character, however, is the elderly woman Shantha Kumari who kidnaps the baby. Seen previously in minor character roles, this film marks a major milestone in her career. The scene where she proudly claims, “I have given so many children a good life,” brings the house down with applause.

Director Nelson Venkatesan and writer Adhisha deserve praise for crafting a screenplay that starts as a simple family drama but seamlessly evolves into a thriller, an investigation, and a mystery without ever losing pace or grip. The line, “Don’t think we’ve escaped the wrongs we’ve done. It only means the punishment has been postponed,” delivers a powerful message.

Cinematographer Parthiban T.F. Tech draws us into the film with his visuals of narrow streets and search sequences. Sabu Joseph’s editing keeps the film brisk, especially with the first half wrapping up sharply at intermission — a key strength. The music, a collaboration of five composers — Sathya Prakash, Srikanth Hariharan, Sahi Shiva, Pravin Saivi, and Anal Akash — is a fresh experiment, though the songs could have been trendier. Gibran’s background score is outstanding.

The film exposes how childbirth has become a massive commercial market and piles up shocking reasons behind child abduction, sounding an urgent new alarm. While elements like repeated temple scenes and devotion may feel like logical hiccups, they ultimately appeal to family audiences.

In all, DNA stands out as a complete package — a gripping screenplay, a strong social message, deep family emotions, and a fast-moving narrative that leaves a lasting impact.