'DC' unpacked: How a Tamil film with no major star sparked an unusual trend at the Kerala box office

If there is one Tamil film that has dominated conversations this year, it is ‘DC’. And there is plenty to talk about. Easily one of the most distinctive Tamil films of the year, it has combined raw storytelling, rugged characters, explosive violence and a Bonnie-and-Clyde-meets-cowboy aesthetic to create something that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.

If Mari Selvaraj’s ‘Bison’ was last year’s raw and intense Tamil standout, ‘DC’ has taken that mantle this year. Made on a reported budget of around Rs 40 crore, ‘DC’ has crossed the Rs 100 crore mark, turning into one of the year’s notable box-office success stories. The achievement is even more significant because acclaimed filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj made his acting debut as the lead. According to trade reports, the film has also created a first by becoming the first A-rated debut film to cross the Rs 100 crore mark. And somewhere along the way, Kerala has emerged as one of its biggest strengths.

Tamil cinema doing well in Kerala is hardly a new phenomenon. The state has always been a lucrative market for big Tamil stars, with Vijay, Suriya and Ajith Kumar enjoying enormous fan bases here. Whenever their films release, early-morning shows, celebrations and packed theatres are almost guaranteed. ‘DC’, however, is a slightly different story.

There is no conventional Tamil superstar driving the film. Lokesh Kanagaraj is certainly a major star in his own right among Malayali film buffs, thanks to his blockbuster filmography, but the kind of response ‘DC’ has received in Kerala suggests that there is more at play than just the director’s popularity. On several days, the film has managed to collect almost as much as, and sometimes even more than, it did in Tamil Nadu.

The figures make for particularly interesting reading. According to Sacnilk and trade reports, the film saw a near-100% jump in collections on its second day and continued to maintain strong momentum through its opening stretch. On Day 5, August 11, ‘DC’ reportedly collected Rs 1.85 crore in Kerala, ahead of the Rs 1.75 crore it made in Tamil Nadu.

The following day was even more striking. On Day 6, Kerala contributed Rs 2 crore, while Tamil Nadu collected Rs 1.65 crore. On Day 8, August 14, the film again had Kerala ahead, with collections of Rs 1.08 crore compared to Rs 1 crore in Tamil Nadu. According to Sacnilk, the first-week total stood at approximately Rs 14.57 crore in Tamil Nadu and Rs 11.60 crore in Kerala.

Even later in its run, Kerala continued to spring surprises. On Day 15, the state reportedly collected Rs 1.94 crore, edging past Tamil Nadu’s Rs 1.88 crore. A similar trend was seen on August 16, while on several other days, the two markets were almost evenly matched. For a Tamil film without a Vijay, Ajith or Suriya at the helm, that is quite something. And this is perhaps where the Kerala story gets even more interesting.

The film’s numbers have now begun to dip, particularly as more Malayalam releases are reclaiming screens. Films such as ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ have expanded their presence, while more theatres — especially non-multiplexes — are gradually making way for Malayalam releases, including ‘Thudakkam’. Yet ‘DC’ has not disappeared from the Kerala box-office conversation just yet.

In Kochi and other major cities, theatres that are still screening the film continue to report audiences. The film’s staying power in urban Kerala has been particularly noticeable, suggesting that its appeal has extended well beyond the core Tamil-speaking audience. Few social media users have opined that Malayalis are turning up for the Tamil film more than Tamil audiences in some locations. So, what exactly has clicked with the Malayali audience?

According to FEUOK president Vijayakumar, the film’s music and filmmaking have been major factors. The release window also worked in its favour, with relatively fewer major Malayalam films competing for audiences at the time, apart from ‘Thudakkam’, the debut film of Vismaya Mohanlal, which itself performed well.

But there is clearly more to ‘DC’s Kerala appeal. For starters, Lokesh Kanagaraj is already a hugely popular filmmaker in the state. From ‘Kaithi’ and ‘Master’ to ‘Vikram’ and ‘Leo’, his films have built a loyal following among Malayali audiences. His name carries enough weight in Kerala to generate curiosity even when he steps in front of the camera rather than behind it. Then there is the film itself.

‘DC’ has several ingredients that have traditionally worked with Kerala audiences — a grounded setting, a flawed protagonist, rugged characters, strong performances, stylised action and a story that does not entirely depend on the presence of a superstar. The film also has the musical firepower of Anirudh Ravichander, while Arun Matheswaran’s filmmaking, Mukesh G’s cinematography and Prasanna GK’s editing give it the raw, kinetic energy that sets it apart.

Lokesh, too, appears to have found the right screen persona. Sporting a raw and intense look, he embraces the ruggedness of the character without trying to turn himself into a conventional mass hero. Wamiqa Gabbi and the rest of the cast also add to the film’s appeal. Interestingly, the contrast between Kerala and Tamil Nadu could also explain some of the film’s unusual numbers.

In Tamil Nadu, industry sources point to the enormous pull of established stars, where familiarity and star power remain major factors in bringing audiences to theatres. Kerala, meanwhile, has often been more receptive to films driven by filmmakers, performances, storytelling and word of mouth. ‘DC’ seems to have landed perfectly in that space.