Unlocking the forbidden code

By Devyani

Edited by Nandana

For this week’s Cinematic Friday, I decided to go with The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Honestly, I’d always heard this book being called “forbidden,” and that word itself made me super curious. Like, why would a book be forbidden unless it had something that shook people up, right? So when I finally picked it up, it felt like I was stepping into some secret world that maybe I wasn’t even supposed to see. And that’s the thrill of it, every page felt like a little rebellion.

Reading it was such a different experience compared to watching the movie. The book gave me the time to pause, think, and really play detective with Robert Langdon, decoding symbols, trying to figure out the puzzles before the characters did, and honestly feeling smart whenever I guessed something right. The movie, on the other hand, felt like being strapped in for a fast ride, grand visuals, Tom Hanks running around, dramatic music, and everything happening quicker than my brain could process. I liked it, but it didn’t give me that same slow-burn satisfaction the book did.

What makes it stand out to me is how the book feels like a secret you’re uncovering, while the movie feels like a show you’re watching. The novel whispers, “take your time, question everything,” but the film says, “here’s the action, hold on tight.” Both are thrilling in their own way, but if I had to choose, I’d say the book made me feel more involved, like I wasn’t just reading, I was part of the hunt.

And maybe that’s why The Da Vinci Code stuck with me. It’s not just a story, it’s that strange, exciting feeling of touching something controversial, something not everyone wants you to explore. And whether it’s through words or on screen, it keeps reminding me that sometimes the best stories are the ones that make people a little uncomfortable.