Tamil cinema’s got a fresh gem with DNA, a crime thriller that landed in theaters on June 20, 2025. Directed by Nelson Venkatesan, this one stars Atharvaa and Nimisha Sajayan in a story that mixes gut-punching emotion with a dark dive into infant trafficking. Coming off Nelson’s solid Farhana (2023), DNA had big expectations. Does it deliver? It’s a heartfelt, thrilling ride with a few bumps, but it’s got enough juice to keep you glued. Here’s the scoop in a chill, straight-up take.
The Story: Love, Loss, and a Shady Underworld
DNA follows Anand (Atharvaa), a guy drowning his breakup sorrows in booze, and Divya (Nimisha Sajayan), a young woman dealing with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and labeled “crazy” by everyone around her. Their families, fed up with their struggles, set them up for an arranged marriage—basically, “two messed-up people belong together.” Surprisingly, they click, finding love and a shot at happiness. But when Divya gives birth and swears the baby she’s handed isn’t hers, no one buys it. Anand steps up, digging into a chilling web of child abductions that puts their bond to the test.
The title DNA is a slick nod to the couple’s initials and the whole “who’s my kid?” mystery, blending a personal love story with a gritty crime chase. It’s the kind of plot that grabs you and doesn’t let go.
What’s Awesome: Heart and Grit
Nelson Venkatesan knows how to keep it real, and DNA shines when it leans into that. Once Anand and Divya’s marriage kicks in, the movie feels raw and relatable—think new-dad panic or Divya’s postpartum struggles. Those moments make the crime stuff hit harder. The second half ramps up with a deep dive into the trafficking ring, throwing curveballs that keep you guessing. A scene with an old lady defending her role in the mess is straight-up chilling and shows Nelson’s knack for messy, human characters.
Atharvaa is on fire as Anand, going from a drunk mess to a dad on a mission. It’s his best role in years, and he owns the action scenes too. Nimisha Sajayan breaks your heart as Divya, especially in scenes where she’s fighting her own mind—her big emotional moments are pure gold. The supporting cast, like Chetan as Anand’s guilt-tripped dad and Balaji Sakthivel in a fiery role, keeps things tight. Gokul Benoy’s camera work gives it a moody vibe, and the Ratsasan-style score cranks up the tension, even if the budget feels tight in spots.
Fans are eating it up, calling it a killer mix of heart and thrills. The just-under-two-hour runtime keeps things mostly snappy, and the investigation bits are clever enough to reward you for paying attention.
What’s Not: Slow Starts and Cheesy Bits
DNA isn’t perfect. The first 20 minutes crawl with Anand’s breakup drama and a random bar song that feels like it’s from a different movie. The climax gets a bit too dramatic, almost like a TV soap, which messes with the grounded vibe. There’s also a second-half song—some call it an “item number”—that just kills the vibe. Cut those, and the movie would’ve been leaner and meaner.
Nimisha’s role is a heavy-hitter, but she feels a bit sidelined in quieter scenes, like she’s just along for the ride. And yeah, the thriller clichés—a brooding hero, a convenient accident—pop up, which might make you roll your eyes if you’re a genre buff. It’s good, but a tighter script could’ve made it amazing.
Why It Pops
DNA works because it’s not just a crime flick—it’s about two underdogs fighting for their family. Nelson weaves in heavy stuff like BPD and postpartum depression without making it preachy, and the trafficking plot feels real, not over-the-top. Anand and Divya’s love story is the heart of it all, making every twist hit like a punch. It’s not flawless, but it’s proof Tamil movies can mix smarts, heart, and thrills like nobody’s business.
Final Take: Don’t Skip It
DNA is a gripping, emotional thriller that delivers despite a slow start and some cheesy moments. Atharvaa and Nimisha Sajayan are dynamite, and Nelson Venkatesan shows he’s got serious chops. If you’re down for a crime drama that’ll keep you hooked and maybe make you tear up, DNA is your ticket. It’s not perfect, but it’s got heart and grit to spare. Grab some popcorn and dive in.
Rating: 3.75/5 Stars