Arun Matheswaran’s ‘DC’ has emerged as a notable box-office success, crossing the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide. The film has also drawn attention to the filmmaker’s decision to adopt a faster and more straightforward storytelling style, a departure from the approach seen in some of his earlier films.Known for his intense and unconventional filmmaking, Arun Matheswaran recently opened up about the creative choices behind ‘DC’. He explained why he opted for a simple linear narrative, rapid cuts and a more energetic treatment, while also revealing his surprisingly strong aversion to blood despite the violence often featured in his films.

Arun Matheswaran on choosing a simple linear narrative for ‘DC’

Speaking about the making of ‘DC’ in a conversation with Sudhir Srinivasan, Arun revealed that he initially approached the film in a manner similar to his previous projects. However, a suggestion from his wife prompted him to reconsider the structure.“I made it like my other films, but people connected with it. My wife watched my first three films and said, ‘When we cut the story into chapters, many people might feel like it’s a completion, and it might feel a bit tiring.’ Then I thought of telling a simple story in a linear way,” he said.The director subsequently decided that ‘DC’ needed to maintain a brisk pace while keeping the narrative easy for audiences to follow. The change in storytelling style appears to have resonated with viewers, with the film going on to achieve a strong theatrical run.

Arun Matheswaran reveals instructions for ‘DC’ cuts and music

Matheswaran also spoke about the specific instructions he gave his technical team while working on the film. He wanted the visuals to maintain a consistently fast rhythm and asked the team to avoid lingering on individual shots.“I told the team that there shouldn’t be a single shot longer than 10 seconds. I also told Ani not to leave too many silences and to treat it like a musical,” the filmmaker explained.Anirudh Ravichander’s music consequently became an important part of the film’s energetic treatment, complementing its rapid editing and action-heavy sequences.

‘I’m someone who’s allergic to blood’: Arun Matheswaran on violence

Despite being known for films that feature intense and often graphic violence, Matheswaran admitted that he personally has a strong aversion to blood in real life.“I’m someone who’s allergic to blood. I cannot see it in real life. I’ll turn my head even during the injection. I know the violence in films is fake and they are being staged. So, that doesn’t bother me,” he said.The filmmaker’s distinction between real-life and staged violence offers an interesting insight into how he approaches intense sequences on screen. While he may be uncomfortable with blood in reality, he is able to treat cinematic violence as part of the storytelling process.

About ‘DC’

Directed by Arun Matheswaran, ‘DC’ stars Lokesh Kanagaraj and Wamiqa Gabbi in the lead roles. The film combines action, drama and emotional elements in a fast-paced narrative, with Anirudh Ravichander’s music contributing to its high-energy treatment. After crossing the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide during its theatrical run, ‘DC’ is now available to stream on an OTT platform.