Karthik Subbaraj’s ‘Dorothy’ wins hearts of trans community despite ban and backlash
Chennai: Director Karthik Subbaraj’s 10th film Dorothy, starring Keerthy Suresh in the titular role along with Sananth and Rishikanth, has become one of the most talked-about Tamil releases of 2026 for its bold take on the LGBTQIA+ community.
Set in rural Tamil Nadu in the early 1990s, the film follows two childhood best friends – Karthi and Subbu – who grow up in a world shaped by caste divisions, violence and toxic masculinity. Their lives and beliefs change when a compassionate woman, Dorothy (Keerthy Suresh), challenges the prejudice around them. Years later, their friendship is tested when one is sent to track down the other, leading to a journey of love, guilt and human dignity.
The film’s second half takes a radical turn, exploring same-sex attraction and the repression of femininity, as one of the friends comes out as a trans woman.
Dorothy had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 11, where it received a standing ovation, before its theatrical release in India on September 25. After TIFF, the film faced a hate campaign on social media over its LGBTQIA+ themes, with some handles demanding a ban.
Amid the backlash, the film has found strong support from the queer community. At press meets, trans women have thanked the director, calling him their younger brother, and said the film made them feel seen. Director Karthik Subbaraj said his mantra was “Be calm & believe in the audience.”The film also marks a musical milestone – it is the 1,540th project for legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja. His score, especially the song ‘Muthumani’, has left many in tears. “Ilaiyaraaja gave Dorothy a soul,” Karthik said in an interview.
Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, Dorothy has also run into a reported release hurdle in Malaysia, where Tamil media reports claim it was denied a theatrical release over LGBTQ-related content. However, no official censorship order has been cited so far.
Despite controversy, the film’s performances and its attempt to crush male ego and question patriarchy through mainstream cinema have been praised by critics as Karthik Subbaraj’s boldest social drama yet.
