Arun Matheswaran does a solid job in humanizing the so called fallen women/sex workers. In 2026 its the third time that you have had a movie or a web series depicting sex workers. Hey Balwanth, Objection My Lord and now this, it’s good to see this surge. Wamiqa Gabbi as Chandra nails the vulnerability as well as the strong determination. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj makes an assured acting debut bringing in the required ruthlessness, at the same time a tender side too has been well portrayed. DC juggles with various social themes in an efficient manner.
Starcast: Lokesh Kanagaraj, Wamiqa Gabbi, Sanjana Krishnamoorthy, Thalaivasal Vijay and others
Direction, screenplay and dialogues: Arun Matheswaran
Additional dialogues: Franklin Jacob
Based on: “Devdas” by Sarath Chandra Chattopadhyay
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematography: Mukesh G
Producer: Kalanithi Maran
Production Company: Sun Pictures
Sarath Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Devdas is one of the most on screen depicted novels. Both Hindi and Telugu directors have taken the premise of a heartbroken lover reinterpreting it on their way. Anurag Kashyap’s take for example showed Abbay Deol’s character moving on with his life. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas on the other hand gave more agency to both Paro and Chandramukhi. There is a brilliant scene of Madhuri Dixit confronting male entitlement when a zamindar like figure insults her. Arun Mathewaran’s interpretation of Devdas has to be the most audacious though, his character is moddled on a gangster/robin hood figure and through him the director explores the themes of police atrocities and corruption.
DC follows the journey of a rebel/gangster Devdas (a suitably rugged Lokesh Kanagaraj). An excellent Wamiqa Gabbi plays Chandra a sex worker scarred by abuse and exploitation. Sanjana Krishnamoorthy is Parvathy a bar singer and Devdas first love. The plot primarily focuses on how Devdas and Chandra come together, in the directors’ words its madness meeting madness. The two damaged souls finding solace in each other with the backdrop of a volatile world forms the basic core of DC.
A strong aspect of DC is the tender love story amidst the bombastic action. Whether its Chandra opening up about her scarred past or finding a sense of freedom in the company of Devdas, the scenes tug at your heartstrings making you root for them. Chandra also brings out a different side of Devdas a soft exterior underneath the hardened soul. The scenes featuring the two gives DC some of its best moments.
Arun Matheswaran dialogues have some hard-hitting lines on women forced into prostitution and how they are brutalized by various men. There are scenes of Chandra behaving like a lifeless skeleton going from one customer to another. Even the brief track of Sanjana Krishnamoorthy has its moments too. There is a sense of understated romance and as viewers you wish that Parvathy hadn’t died. Here too there are some solid lines about systematic exploitation.
The theme of police brutality like many Tamil movies has an extremely brutal nature to it. The scenes make for a tough watch, still how the vulnerable are preyed upon holds huge social relevance.
The metaphor of Lokesh Kanagaraj as a robin hood figure isn’t used for just surface level, the way Devdas and his men operate outside law with the legal system failing to provide justice does justice to the idea of a Robinhood figure.
This massy interpretation won’t work for all but kudos to the director for placing Devdas in this kind of social context. Anriudh Ravichander’s score both the songs and background music act as the films parrelel lead.
Anriudh absolutely reinvents himself whether it’s the songs set in the bar or the bombastic yet highly effectively theme score. The pre interval portion of Devdas freeing sex workers by slashing the men around him makes for a perfect mass masala moment. The badass attitude of lokesh coupled with Anriudh’s work gives a big high.
Mukesh G cinematography is also of a high standard. His frames whether it’s the bloodbath or the portions of Devdas and Chandra falling in love have some striking imagery. The action choreography of Franklin Jacob and PC Stunts is deliberately gruesome but excellently choreographed.
DC also benefits from a first-rate cast. Lokesh Kanagaraj as already mentioned makes for a solid mass hero. At times there is a significant hangover of the director’s own protagonist especially Karthi’s Kaithi, still he makes a solid impression. Wamiqa Gabbi once again shows her versatility with an exceptional act. Whether it’s the bottled-up rage unleashed or the few lighter moments the young actress nails it. The rest do a fine job too especially Sharath Ravi as Chunnilal. He is very effective as a creepy middleman.
A couple of issues with DC is a slightly dated template of robbers versus police. Telugu movie Dacoit earlier this year also had a similar formula with different circumstances. Also, the excessive bloodshed will act as a major put off for some.
Final word: DC is a treat for fans of rugged action dramas and also those who are curious to see how Lokesh would fare as an actor.