DC certified 'A', Lokesh Kanakaraj's acting debut hits screens August 7
Synopsis
Director Lokesh Kanakaraj steps in front of the camera for the first time in 'DC', a likely gangster drama directed by Arun Matheswaran. With CBFC clearance secured and a worldwide release locked for 7 August, the film — backed by Sun Pictures with music by Anirudh — is Tamil cinema's most eagerly tracked debut of the season.
Key Takeaways
DC , directed by Arun Matheswaran and produced by Sun Pictures , has been certified 'A' by the CBFC .
The film releases worldwide in theatres on 7 August , a week later than the originally planned 31 July date.
Lokesh Kanakaraj marks his acting debut in the film, playing a character named Devadas .
Wamiqa Gabbi plays Chandra and Sanjana A K plays Parvathi in the film.
Music is by Anirudh ; Lokesh underwent martial arts training in Thailand for the role.
Director-turned-actor Lokesh Kanakaraj's much-anticipated acting debut, 'DC', directed by Arun Matheswaran, has received clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with an 'A' certificate, paving the way for a worldwide theatrical release on 7 August. The announcement was made by producer Sun Pictures across its official social media handles.
Release Date Shift
The film was originally scheduled to release on 31 July, but the date has been pushed by a week to 7 August. Sun Pictures confirmed the revised date alongside the certification news, posting: '#DC is certified A. Releasing in theatres worldwide from August 7!' The reason for the date change has not been officially disclosed.
What We Know About the Film
Lokesh Kanakaraj plays a character named Devadas in what is widely expected to be a gangster drama. Wamiqa Gabbi stars as Chandra and actress Sanjana A K plays Parvathi. A promo released on Valentine's Day this year offered the clearest look yet at the film's dark, visceral tone — featuring grim visuals including Devadas committing acts of extreme violence, lending credibility to the gangster-drama speculation.
The title teaser, released last year, had already set a brooding, intense mood. The Valentine's Day promo built on that, showing Parvathi unable to speak at a microphone, Chandra in a setting that hints at a house of ill repute, and Devadas consoling both women before the violent imagery unfolds. The promo closes with Devadas and Chandra escaping in a car.
Creative Team
The film's dialogues are written by Arun Matheswaran and Franklin Jacob, with additional screenplay by Arun Ranjan. Music is composed by Anirudh, cinematography handled by Mukesh G, editing by G K Prasanna, and art direction by Kannan S.
Lokesh Kanakaraj's Preparation
To prepare for the physically demanding role, Lokesh Kanakaraj underwent martial arts training in Thailand — a commitment he made shortly after completing Superstar Rajinikanth's 'Coolie', which released worldwide on 14 August last year. The training signals that 'DC' is expected to feature significant action sequences.
What to Expect
With the CBFC's 'A' certification confirming adult-oriented content, 'DC' arrives as one of Tamil cinema's most closely watched releases of the year. Whether the film lives up to the massive expectations built around Lokesh Kanakaraj's screen debut will be answered when it opens in theatres on 7 August.
Point of View
But an 'A' certificate and a gangster-drama frame also raise the stakes: if the film underperforms, it complicates the narrative around director-actors in Tamil cinema. The one-week date shift, while minor, also warrants watching — last-minute scheduling changes in big productions often signal post-production fine-tuning or competitive positioning.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the film 'DC' and who stars in it?
'DC' is a Tamil film directed by Arun Matheswaran, produced by Sun Pictures, and marks the acting debut of celebrated director Lokesh Kanakaraj. He plays the lead character Devadas, alongside Wamiqa Gabbi as Chandra and Sanjana A K as Parvathi.
When will 'DC' release in theatres?
'DC' is set for a worldwide theatrical release on 7 August. The film was originally scheduled for 31 July but the date was pushed by one week.
What certificate has 'DC' received from the CBFC?
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared 'DC' with an 'A' certificate, indicating the film is restricted to adult audiences. The certification was confirmed by Sun Pictures on its official social media handles.
What genre is 'DC' expected to be?
Based on the title teaser and a Valentine's Day promo, 'DC' is widely expected to be a gangster drama. The promo featured intense, violent visuals and a dark narrative tone involving the three lead characters.
How did Lokesh Kanakaraj prepare for his acting role in 'DC'?
Lokesh Kanakaraj underwent martial arts training in Thailand to prepare for the physically demanding role of Devadas. He pursued this training shortly after completing direction of Rajinikanth's 'Coolie', which released on 14 August last year.
