Karthik Subbaraj's Dorothy sparks debate as Mani Ratnam praises the film

Karthik Subbaraj's Dorothy reached theatres on September 25, 2026, and it has set off a wide discussion online. The film stars Keerthy Suresh, Sananth and Rishikanth. It had already earned a standing ovation at its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month. The legendary Ilaiyaraaja composed the music.

The film is reportedly set in the 1990s and follows two men whose lives are turned upside down when a woman arrives. It deals with queer identity and gender, a subject that mainstream Tamil cinema has rarely explored. Many see it as a big step for queer representation on the Tamil screen.

Not every viewer welcomed it. Audience response has been mixed, and reports say some moviegoers posted homophobic comments and called for a boycott after the first shows. Many social media users hit back and called out the double standard of cheering violent films while objecting to LGBTQIA+ characters. Several pointed to Malayalam cinema, where stars like Mammootty have played gay characters and been warmly received.

Veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam has reportedly given the film strong backing. He called Karthik Subbaraj "a very, very special talent" and said the director could lead the younger generation of filmmakers. He praised the film's visual compositions and its use of technology, admitting, "I am genuinely jealous of him." He also said Ilaiyaraaja's music made the film even more special.

On the business side, Dorothy reportedly collected ₹90 lakh in India on its opening day. Reports name Guneet Monga Kapoor, Achin Jain and Jyoti Deshpande as its producers.

Karthik has already started his next film. According to reports, he is directing a Netflix film starring Upendra, Prabhu Deva and Atharvaa. It is adapted from a book and built around a dance form. He described it as a rural drama with a commercial treatment and action. He said the first schedule was finished before the Dorothy promotions began, and one more schedule remains.