After a brief and underwhelming box office run, the Tamil action thriller DNA is getting a second chance to prove its worth on streaming. Slated to premiere on JioHotstar on July 19, this Atharvaa-starrer has already built strong word-of-mouth for its gripping plot and intense performances. And for viewers who missed it in theatres, this OTT release could turn DNA into a surprise success.
Directed by Nelson Venkatesh, DNA opens with a 2014 hit-and-run case involving Varadarajan, played by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub. What begins as a tragic accident quickly evolves into a baby-swapping racket and a full-fledged child-trafficking ring. Years later, in 2023, the story picks up with Anand, played by Atharvaa, whose newborn child goes missing. Teaming up with SI Chinnasamy, Anand sets out on a relentless investigation that uncovers hidden networks, dark secrets, and a web of betrayal stretching back nearly a decade.
While the film includes familiar commercial touches like song breaks and staged action, its strength lies in the writing and its second and third acts. The emotional depth grows slowly but grips you hard once the story takes off. Viewers have praised the tight screenplay, haunting background music, and performances that stay with you long after the credits roll. Nimisha Sajayan brings quiet intensity to her role, and Balaji Sakthivel’s grounded presence as the cop lends realism to the emotional core of the movie.
What makes DNA especially rewarding is its commitment to its premise. Even with slow pacing in the first act, it never loses narrative control. The film explores how one accident changed multiple lives and does so with both style and soul. It does not resort to loud messaging but makes its point through powerful storytelling and emotional payoff.
With a 7.9 rating on IMDb and a fanbase that kept growing post-theatrical release, DNA is now poised for a digital comeback. Its release on JioHotstar is not just a second run. It is a second chance at recognition for a film that might have been ahead of its time for theatres but is just right for streaming.
Catch DNA on JioHotstar starting July 19 and discover one of Tamil cinema’s most overlooked thrillers in recent years.
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