Keerthy Suresh recently got trolled and sparked online debate over LGBTQ representation in the film Dorothy.
Entertainment desk
September 25, 2026 / 16:51 IST
Keerthy Suresh
Keerthy Suresh’s recent Tamil outing Dorothy has sparked a social media debate after its theatrical release on September 25. Director Karthik Subbaraj has been praised by a section of the audience for his grounded storytelling, performances and realistic treatment but a section of social media has slammed the film’s portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and they are calling for a boycott.
The responses come amid a broader conversation about the film’s themes and tonal shift in the second half.
Dorothy is set in rural Tamil Nadu in the early 1990s and follows the lives of childhood friends Karthi and Subbu whose lives are defined by caste divides, violence and rigid notions of masculinity.
The early response from audiences has pointed to the film’s rural setting and its realistic approach. Some of the viewers have praised the acts of Rishikanth and Sananth, while some of the reactions have mentioned that Keerthy Suresh’s role was short but effective. The interval block and the single take in the film are also becoming talking points.
Meanwhile, some viewers have also complained about a drastic change in the tone of the film after the interval, with the second half purportedly taking the story to a different path than what was indicated in the promotional material.
Guys, please don’t encourage these type of Movies ❌👎
Let’s Boycott #Dorothy 🙏🫠 https://t.co/AMEeWmDzIP — Karthik SK🥳💫 (@Karthik_SK45) September 25, 2026
Didn’t expect this from a director like @karthiksubbaraj. One Dialogue from Trans women : “Innum 10 varshathula naanga dhaan normal, Indha ooru ungala dhaan kevalama paakum 🙂” Talking about LGBTQ+ is fine, but forcing it on people isn’t It’s not a good direction to go🚶♂️ #Dorothy — Ayyappan (@Ayyappan_1504) September 25, 2026
Questioning the Message, Not the Subject. !! #Dorothy
A dialogue in the movie “Innum 10 varshathula naanga dhaan normal, Indha ooru ungala dhaan kevalama paakum ” feels unnecessarily provocative for a sensitive subject , which makes audience uncomfortable . For a sensitive topic, dialogue like this can easily feel more like a statement being imposed on the audience than an invitation to think. 🤷 #Dorothy — Let’s X OTT GLOBAL (@LetsXOtt) September 25, 2026
Backlash to LGBTQ+ representation
The reactions have been largely mixed, with some users on X opposing the way the film handled LGBTQ+ themes. Some posts have criticized what they see as the movie’s take on the subject, with some users even calling for people to boycott Dorothy.
#Dorothy – That Last 10mins was seriously disgrace for Tamil Cinema 😐👎 https://t.co/HAtpau549M — 𝗖𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 (@CiniRadio) September 25, 2026
That’s not to say the criticism is universal amongst viewers – it’s a part of the ongoing social media conversation around the film. Other audiences have continued to speak positively of the film’s story telling, acting and technical aspects.
Is this Karthik Subbaraj’s most grounded film?
In a pre-release interview Karthik Subbaraj said that Dorothy is his most realistic film and that the story is based on several real incidents that occurred in the 1990s. The filmmaker also called it one of his most emotional stories and said he was confident audiences would experience the film spoiler-free.
This is Subbaraj’s tenth feature film as director. Ilaiyaraaja composed the original score and background score for the film. Thiru was the cinematographer. The project also marks a huge milestone for Ilaiyaraaja as it is his 1,540th film project.
Keerthy Suresh, Rishikanth and Sananth lead the cast.
The film also has Rishikanth, Sananth and Keerthy Suresh in pivotal roles. The film had its world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, before a global theatrical release on September 25.
With more audiences seeing the film, the conversation around its narrative, performances and LGBTQ+ themes will likely continue, with reactions split across social media.
Entertainment desk Entertainment Desk at Moneycontrol reports on the celebrities, movies that shape India’s entertainment industry. With a sharp focus on cinema, OTT, web series, and latest trends, the entertainment desk delivers verified news, and analytical stories that place entertainment within a wider economic and cultural context. Our coverage goes beyond celebrity to examine how storytelling, audiences and business decisions influence one of the country’s most influential creative industries.
first published: Sep 25, 2026 04:51 pm
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