Keerthy Suresh reflects on her role in 'Dorothy,' a groundbreaking Tamil film exploring LGBTQ themes. Despite initial doubts about its commercial viability, the film sparked debates on queer representation and enjoyed a 25-day theatrical run. Suresh, who played a pivotal extended cameo, emphasized the importance of storytelling over screen time and celebrated the film's social impact.
Keerthy Suresh is leaning into narrative risks that defy traditional box-office formulas. Case in point: Karthik Subbaraj’s acclaimed Dorothy, where Keerthy took on an extended cameo that some felt wouldn't translate into commercial success.
Instead, the film completed a 25-day theatrical run before transitioning to streaming, triggering conversations on queer representation in mainstream Tamil cinema.
Set in rural Tamil Nadu in the early 1990s, Dorothy follows childhood friends Karthi and Subbu, whose lives are upended after tragedy befalls Dorothy (Suresh), a woman who always treated them with gentleness.
”After Mahanati, it's my most special role and I'm so glad that I did it. Being part of the story meant a lot because it is genuinely change-making cinema,” Keerthy said, reflecting on her decision to board Dorothy, which was backed by Guneet Monga.
The actor was in conversation with THR India ahead of her latest Netflix series, Akka. For Keerthy, the core draw with Dorothy was the rarity of seeing such themes in a mainstream Tamil release.
"We're talking about LGBTQ stories in a Tamil film, and I've never dreamt of seeing this at any time in recent years! And then there is Karthik sir's cinematic brilliance—the way he's shot it, the way it's making people think. People are debating over it. I have a few friends who loved the film, but who didn't like the climax. I have a set of friends who simply loved the film and then there are some people who didn't. I don't mind that. There's a lot of conversation around the film that's happening and that's what we wanted to achieve."
Addressing the skepticism surrounding her limited screen presence, Keerthy pushed back against traditional fixations with screen time.
"People who have really seen it and who understand it will know that I'm the soul of the film, but it's like an extended cameo," she said. "I worked six-seven days on the film, but it was a magical feeling."
Part of that magic also came from creating instant chemistry with her co-stars. "Before I shot the film, I had not met the two boys, Sananth and Rishikanth! I had seen Sananth on screen before, but had never met him. But working with them, I felt like I had known them for ages. That's what a film and characters can do."
Her choice to take on a brief appearance, she said, drew initial skepticism from industry peers, but her motivation lay entirely in the narrative.
"I had a lot of people who told me, 'It's just like six days, seven days. What are you going to do?' I said, it's not about six days or seven days. It's about being part of the story that has to be told."
For Keerthy, that real-world resonance far outweighed early trade skepticism. "And I am really happy! We had a success meet where so many transgenders came and spoke. They addressed me as their sister-in-law. Something like 'Akka', they called me 'Anni' in Tamil," she shared.
"So, I couldn't be happier for the reception that the film received. I remember speaking to a set of people who watched the film before the release and said this could be critically acclaimed but not a box-office (hit). But we're talking about 25 days at the box office and now it's on Netflix. I am extremely overwhelmed with the reception."
Produced by YRF Entertainment and written and directed by Dharmaraj Shetty, Akka will premiere on Netflix on October 30.
Watch the full interview with Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte tonight on The Hollywood Reporter India’s YouTube Channel