Dorothy (2026) Synopsis: What Is the Story About?
Subbu and Karthik have been close since boyhood, growing up side by side in a village in rural Tamil Nadu. Their surroundings are far from gentle. Caste divides decide who belongs where, violence is a familiar part of daily life, and boys are raised to believe that being a man means being hard, loud and unyielding.
The film follows the two friends from childhood into adulthood, tracing how these pressures shape them. Then Dorothy, played by Keerthy Suresh, enters their lives. She brings a quiet warmth and kindness that sits uneasily with the rigid rules of the place. Her presence begins to unsettle long-held attitudes, and her bond with the two men pulls them in new directions.
At its heart, Dorothy is a Tamil drama with threads of romance and crime. It looks at friendship, identity and the cost of living up to someone else’s idea of who you should be. The story also engages with themes of gender identity, gender nonconformity and patriarchy, set against a deeply hierarchical rural society.

What Makes Dorothy Notable
- Director and writer: Karthik Subbaraj wrote and directed the film, so it carries his personal stamp from script to screen.
- Cast: Keerthy Suresh plays the title role of Dorothy. Sananth plays Subbu and Rishikanth plays Karthik, while Varun and Thihaan play the younger versions of the two friends. The supporting cast includes Muthukumar as Whistle Veeraiya, Soundara Raja as Kalai, Jeeva Subramanian and Ramachandran Durairaj. Singer Anthony Daasan appears as himself.
- Genre mix: The film combines drama, romance and crime rather than sticking to a single lane.
- Themes: It takes on caste, hypermasculinity, gender identity and transgender experience, subjects that remain rare in mainstream Indian cinema.
- Production: The film is produced by Sikhya Entertainment, Jio Studios and Dhammam Films. It is an Indian production in Tamil.
- Runtime and certification: The film runs 146 minutes (about 2 hours 26 minutes) and is certified A in India.
Looking for a review? This page covers the story, cast and release details. You can check the Drama4U Score shown on this page to see how the film is being received.
Who Will Enjoy Dorothy?
- Fans of Tamil cinema and of Karthik Subbaraj’s work as a writer-director
- Viewers keen to see Keerthy Suresh in a title role
- Audiences drawn to socially rooted dramas about caste and gender
- Those who enjoy stories of lifelong friendship tested by changing circumstances
- Adult viewers comfortable with mature themes and violence, given the A certificate
Dorothy Release Date and Where to Watch in India
Theatrical (box office) release: Dorothy opened in cinemas in India on 25 September 2026, which is also its worldwide release date. It was certified A.
OTT release date: TMDB lists a digital release in India on 22 October 2026, with a note that it is on Netflix.
Where to watch in India: Based on the listed digital release, Netflix is the platform to look for. Streaming availability is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 23 October 2026. Search for “Dorothy” in the Netflix app to check its current availability.
The film is in Tamil. A trailer is available.
Trailer
Cast
Sananthas Subbu
Rishikanthas Karthik
Keerthy Sureshas Dorothy
Jeeva Subramanian
Ramachandran Durairaj
Muthukumaras Whistle Veeraiya
Soundara Rajaas Kalai
Anthony Daasanas Self
Photo: TMDB
FAQ
- What is the OTT release date of Dorothy (2026) in India?
- TMDB lists a digital release of Dorothy in India on 22 October 2026, with a note naming Netflix as the platform.
- Where can I watch Dorothy in India?
- Dorothy released in theatres on 25 September 2026. Its listed digital release is on Netflix from 22 October 2026. Streaming availability is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 23 October 2026, so check the Netflix app directly.
- Who is in the cast of Dorothy?
- Keerthy Suresh plays Dorothy. Sananth plays Subbu and Rishikanth plays Karthik, with Varun and Thihaan as their younger selves. The cast also includes Muthukumar, Soundara Raja, Jeeva Subramanian and Ramachandran Durairaj, and Anthony Daasan appears as himself. Karthik Subbaraj wrote and directed the film.
- When did Dorothy release in theatres?
- Dorothy had its theatrical release in India on 25 September 2026, with an A certificate.
- What is the runtime of Dorothy?
- Dorothy runs 146 minutes, which is about 2 hours and 26 minutes. It is a Tamil-language film.

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