Director Nelson Venkatesan has revealed that his recently released film, DNA, is based on the true story of a couple he has known since 2009, dedicating the film’s success to the “real Anand and Divya” who inspired the narrative. The film, starring Atharvaa and Nimisha Sajayan, has been met with a positive response from both critics and audiences since its release on June 20.
Speaking at a gathering to acknowledge the film’s reception, Nelson explained the personal origins of the story. “The story of Anand and Divya has been with me since 2009,” he stated. “I have met these characters in my life. I have recorded their pain in this. The question that arose in my mind, ‘Will their marriage happen?’, is what prompted me to write the story of this film.”
This basis in reality was further detailed by the film’s co-writer, Adhisha, who drew upon his 15-year career in journalism to shape the script. “The events in this story are all real,” Adhisha confirmed. “My guru used to say, ‘If there is a lot of truth in fiction, that fiction will succeed.’ In that sense, this story is 90 percent truth. Only ten percent is imagination.” He cited specific real-world elements, such as the Government Children’s Hospital in Egmore and the deathbed confession of criminal Auto Shankar, as influences on the character designs.
The film’s emotional authenticity appears to have resonated with viewers. Lead actor Atharvaa recounted an experience during a theatre visit, “An elderly woman hugged me, kissed my cheek, and praised the film. She said the film’s success brought her happiness. This was a new experience for me. They celebrated the success of this film as their own.”
Nimisha, who plays the character Divya, attributed her performance to the director’s guidance. “If my performance in this film is praised as excellent, it is all due to the director. I just did what he told me to do,” she said, also noting the strong on-set collaboration with Atharvaa.
Nelson also used the occasion to comment on the broader challenges of filmmaking, stating that a film’s success depends not only on its quality but also on factors like a proper release date and effective marketing, which are often outside a director’s control. He called for a more open dialogue between creators and critics to foster a healthier cinematic environment.
DNA, which also features Bose Venkat and Balaji Sakthivel, continues its theatrical run.