AReleased: 7 Aug, 2026
Tamil & TeluguAction & Crime

One of DC’s biggest strengths is the clarity of its writing. The screenplay doesn’t merely move its characters from one moment to the next; it tells us why they make the choices they do.
Cast & Crew
DC Movie Review: A solid debut as a lead actor for Lokesh Kanagaraj
M Suganth
TNN, Aug 08, 2026, 9:21 AM IST
DCMovie Synopsis:On the run from a ruthless cop, a gangster gets pulled into a blood-soaked journey of romance, revenge and redemption after two women walk into his life.DC Movie Review:In Arun Matheswaran’s DC, violence is catharsis, not just an element of cool. Nothing captures this better than the electrifying stretch leading up to the interval, where Devadas (Lokesh Kanagaraj, a solid debut as a lead actor) unleashes a bloody rampage that serves both as an act of rescue and revenge. The rescue is for Chandra (Wamiqa Gabbi, fierce and fragile!), a sex worker, while the revenge is for the inhuman murder of Parvathy (Sanjana Krishnamoorthy, captivating), the woman with whom Das briefly finds something resembling love. Less a retelling of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic Devadas and more an audacious transplant of its principal characters into a more contemporary world of guns and roses, and cops and gangsters, DC sees Arun Matheswaran finally living up to the promise of his striking debut, Rocky — another stylishly violent film with a surprisingly tender soul. He shows yet again that his greatest strength isn’t staging violence, but making us feel the emotions that drive it.His Devadas isn’t someone who hits the bottle to drown his sorry over the loss of Parvathy, but a hotheaded “rowdy/gangster/extremist” who’s fighting for a cause. After successfully pulling off a daring robbery, he arrives in Chennai to lay low. But fate has other plans as a brief encounter with Parvathy, a singer, turns him raging for revenge. Even as a question mark over his survival hangs above his head enters Chandra, a sex worker who has been forced into the profession since the age of six, who enters his life as a damsel in distress and soon becomes his one hope for revenge and redemption. She’s both Bonnie to his Clyde and Viji to his Cheenu, as the film knowingly acknowledges those influences. Will they get their happily every after?The supporting characters are quite fascinating as well, from Das’s three accomplices lend some warmth amidst all the bloodshed. Bhojraj (Krish Dayal), the cop who’s keen on nabbing Das, adds menace; Chunnilal, the middleman (Sharath Ravi) who is helping out Das is disgustingly creepy; there are some affecting father figures – one (Kasthuri Raja) is not on talking terms with his son; one dreams of getting his son the best education but is killed by greedy, remorseless cops; and one is eager to get back to his family, but is bound by duty.The film begins somewhat shakily as it races through Vellore, Gobichettipalayam, Sathyamangalam, Erode and Chennai, forcing us to spend more time orienting ourselves than immersing ourselves in the story. But that’s only until the emotional anchor comes in the form of Parvathy. And from then on, Even when the narrative falls into a repetitive pattern of Das and his gang jeopardising their escape just because they want to do one more thing, the film keeps us engrossed.From Mukesh G’s striking imagery and Kannan S’s richly detailed production design to PC Stunts’ kinetic action choreography and Franklin Jacob and Arun Matheswaran’s punchy dialogues (there’s a killer line about how people involved in unlawful activities against the government respect a man named Arasu), every technical department fires in unison.One of DC’s biggest strengths is the clarity of its writing. The screenplay doesn’t merely move its characters from one moment to the next; it tells us why they make the choices they do. Why does Parvathy feel comfortable opening up to a complete stranger? Why does Das risk his own survival to help Chandra? Why does Chandra choose to stay with him despite knowing the danger it entails? And why doesn’t Das simply abandon everything and flee to Andhra Pradesh? Every question gets its satisfying answer, with callbacks and carefully planted payoffs ensuring that almost every emotional beat and narrative decision feels earned. The only character who could have done with a stronger motivation is Bhojraj, whose relentless pursuit of Das feels more functional than fully fleshed out.But even such minor misses hardly matter, thanks to Anirudh Ravichander, whose pulsating score, deliciously fusing EDM with classical music, powers — and in a couple of scenes, overpowers — the film. It is the final, and most valuable, piece in a technical package that elevates DC into a thoroughly satisfying, blood-soaked action spectacle.
Videos
03:14
03:14
DC – Official Trailer
3 months ago03:13
DC – Official Telugu Trailer
15 days ago02:33
DC – Official Tamil Trailer
8 days ago
3 More Videos
Seen It? Where do you land?
Your rating goes straight into the readers’ number at the top.
Would you like to write a review?
*Keep discussions respectful and constructive. Offensive, abusive, or hateful comments may be removed.
Related News
‘DC’ Twitter review: Netizens hail Lokesh Kanagaraj’s acting debut as Das a must-watch while Anirudh’s background score gets special praise
‘DC’ box office collections day 1: Lokesh Kanagaraj and Wamiqa Gabbi’s film opens with Rs 4.10 crore; worldwide gross reaches Rs 5.70 crore
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ‘DC’ earns A certificate, runtime revealed ahead of theatrical release on August 7
Photos

Latest Movie Reviews
Ohh My Dog
Drama & Thriller2h 30m
Dil Deewana Ho Gaya
Drama & Romance2h 16m
