In Indian cinema, motherhood has always been a deeply resonant theme. From mythological epics to contemporary dramas, the mother figure is often cast as divine, nurturing, and brave. Two recent films—DNA (Tamil, directed by Nelson Venkatesan) and Maa (Hindi, directed by Vishal Furia)—offer drastically different perspectives on this sacred bond. Both are emotionally charged and centered on mothers willing to fight insurmountable odds. But only DNA Movie truly captures the raw, instinctual, and unfiltered essence of what it means to be a mother.
While Maa cloaks motherhood in mythology and supernatural symbolism, DNA Movie grounds it in emotional truth and psychological realism. This blog ventures into a heartfelt comparison of the two cinematic experiences, highlighting why DNA Movie defines the real meaning of motherhood in a way no Indian film has dared to do recently.
Plot Overlay – Myth Meets Reality
Maa is visually rich and steeped in mythology. With its Bengali-folklore setting and Goddess Kaali overtones, it delivers a spiritual form of motherhood. Kajol’s portrayal of a divine defender is commendable, but the narrative depends heavily on familiar horror tropes—curses, haunted symbols, and divine intervention. While emotionally stirring, the film leans more on spectacle than subtlety.
On the other hand, DNA Movie is rooted in psychological tension and emotional reality. Here, motherhood isn’t shown through rituals or divine symbolism; it is felt in the gut. Nimisha Sajayan’s character Divya, suffering from borderline personality disorder, intuitively knows that the child she’s been given after birth is not hers. There’s no ghost, ritual, or priest—just a mother’s unbreakable bond with her actual child. It’s her instinct versus a system that dismisses her, gaslights her, and calls her “mad.” And that makes her act of rebellion one of the most powerful depictions of maternal love in Indian cinema.
Check Out: Is DNA Tamil Movie Based on a True Story?
Maternal Instinct – The Heart of DNA Movie
It’s often said that a mother knows her child even if the world refuses to believe her. DNA Movie exemplifies this truth with emotional integrity. The plot revolves around Divya’s unwavering instinct, refusing to bend under medical systems, social denial, or even her own family’s doubts. You don’t need mythology to make this story grand—it already is.
While Maa shows a mother adopting supernatural power to fight demons, DNA shows a mother whose only weapon is her heart.
Anand (Atharvaa), Divya’s husband, supports her lead despite his own tortured past. Together, they dive into the corrupt underworld of child trafficking, sharpened by reality—not ritual. The film doesn’t exaggerate for drama. Instead, it breathes tension into everyday interactions, into silences, and above all, into a mother’s gut feeling. It’s this unspoken belief in emotional intuition that elevates DNA Movie to a cinematic experience far beyond its surface thriller label.
Performances – Realism vs Symbolism
Kajol in Maa delivers a performance filled with rage, grace, and vulnerability. She pulls off the transformation from grieving mother to mythic avenger with charisma. Yet, the character remains theatrical, draped in symbolism of Goddess Kaali—beautiful, but distant.
Nimisha Sajayan in DNA gives a groundbreaking performance, quietly dismantling the stereotype of the manic or hysterical woman. In a culture slow to acknowledge mental health, her portrayal of Divya is both timely and essential. There’s no attempt to glamorize her condition—and that’s the point. The rawness makes her all the more real.
Atharvaa also deserves a spotlight. His turn as Anand is layered—he’s not a hero, but someone utterly broken, who finds redemption by believing his wife. There’s emotional vulnerability in his fight, not just action. They’re not superheroes. They’re survivors.
Atmosphere & Technical Strengths – DNA’s Raw Grit vs Maa’s Spiritual Gloss
Technically, Maa is polished. The visuals are lush, and the VFX-driven horror is captivating. Director Vishal Furia paints every scene to please both the eye and the heart but does so at the cost of unpredictability.
DNA Movie, however, thrives on grit and grounded intensity. Cinematographer Parthiban uses shadows and frames to heighten the drama organically, especially in sequences like the under-construction building—a brilliant visual metaphor for incomplete lives and unfinished truths. Ghibran Vaibodha’s haunting score adds urgency without melodrama.
The only minor drawback in DNA Movie? A somewhat inconsistent soundtrack with five different composers dilutes the emotional momentum. But it’s a small price to pay for such an emotionally charged script.
Cultural Commentary – Who Told the Truth Better?
Both movies tackle themes larger than their genres:
- Maa is about faith, divine feminism, and sacrificial protection.
- DNA is about belief, mental health, systemic failure, and the irreversible bond between a mother and her child.
While Maa shows you what a mother “can become” with supernatural force, DNA Movie poignantly **shows you what a mother already is without needing to change into anything else.
This is the greater triumph. A story that respects motherhood not just in grand acts of sacrifice or divine punishment, but in sleep-deprived accusations and desperate chases in hospital corridors—that’s brave storytelling.
Conclusion – DNA Movie Is the Real Face of Motherhood
In the cinematic battle of heart-vs-myth, DNA Movie wins with its soul. It is not just a thriller; it’s a tribute to every mother who has ever second-guessed herself but still stood her ground. It’s also a direct challenge to how we treat women who don’t conform, especially those dealing with mental health issues. Instead of glorifying motherhood, DNA humanizes it.
If Maa is a loud war cry, then DNA is a tearful whisper heard louder than any scream.
🎬 Final Verdict: DNA Movie is one of this decade’s finest emotionally driven thrillers. If you’ve ever wanted to understand what a real mother’s love feels like under pressure, this is the film. Watch it. Feel it. Believe it.
