Tamil filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj’s Dorothy, starring Keerthy Suresh, Sananth and Rishikanth, had its world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival on September 12. The film premiered in the Centrepiece section, marking the first Tamil feature to premiere at TIFF in the past decade, and received a standing ovation.
The premiere took place at Toronto’s Scotiabank Theatre, with Subbaraj joined by Keerthy, Sananth and Rishikanth, as well as producers Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain.
The film is set in rural Tamil Nadu in the early 1990s. Dorothy follows Karthi and Subbu, two boys growing up in an unforgiving environment. The story takes a dramatic turn when a misfortune befalls Dorothy (Keerthy Suresh), a member of the household who has always treated the two childhood friends with gentleness.
According to the synopsis by TIFF, the incident shifts the boys’ journey from one of survival into a “harsh, scorched-earth reality shaped by rigid patriarchal hierarchies and everyday violence.”
For Subbaraj, the story is rooted in a world he knows personally while dealing with themes that extend beyond its setting.
“Dorothy is a story that comes from a place and culture I know intimately, but its questions around friendship, prejudice and human connection are universal,” Subbaraj said in a statement. “To have its world premiere at TIFF is incredibly special. It gives the film an opportunity to reach audiences across the world while staying true to the story I wanted to tell. And to have Ilaiyaraaja sir’s music accompany that journey makes it even more special.”
The film marks Subbaraj’s next after Retro, which starred Suriya, Pooja Hegde and Joju George and was released in May 2025.
Ilaiyaraaja has composed the original score and songs for Dorothy. The film’s 18-track soundtrack was recently presented as a live musical experience in Chennai, with musicians performing the score continuously for around 40 minutes.
Jio Studios president Jyoti Deshpande said the film’s themes could transcend its language and geographical setting.
“Cinema has the ability to cross languages when the emotion at its centre is universal. Dorothy is a powerful example of that. Karthik has crafted a story about friendship, identity and human dignity that can resonate far beyond its language,” Deshpande said.
“At Jio Studios, we are proud to bring this deeply human story to audiences, and its premiere at TIFF is a significant moment for the film and a proud one for Tamil cinema,” she added.
For Sikhya Entertainment producers Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain, Dorothy’s TIFF premiere is particularly significant given the production company’s history with the festival.
“TIFF has been an important part of Sikhya’s journey, and bringing Dorothy here feels particularly special. At its heart, Dorothy is a deeply human story about identity, belonging and the courage to find your way back to yourself,” they said in a joint statement.
“Working with Karthik and Jio Studios has brought together different strengths and perspectives, with the shared belief that a strong Indian story can find an audience anywhere,” they added.
Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain in association with Dhammam Films, Dorothy is scheduled to release in Indian theatres on September 25.