Superstar Rajinikanth has praised director Karthik Subbaraj and the team behind Dorothy after watching the Tamil film, giving the filmmaker a memorable moment of recognition. The veteran actor reportedly spent around an hour discussing the movie with Subbaraj and its lead actors, Sananth and Rishikanth, appreciating several aspects of the production.

Rajinikanth described the film as “Fantastic, beautiful, mindblowing,” according to Subbaraj’s account of their meeting. The director was particularly moved by the superstar’s remark that he had been looking for this version of Karthik Subbaraj, making the praise especially meaningful given their previous collaboration on Petta. The appreciation adds to the growing list of industry figures who have acknowledged Dorothy, which was released in theatres on September 25, 2026.

Rajinikanth Calls Dorothy Mindblowing After Watching The Film

Karthik Subbaraj shared his excitement after meeting Rajinikanth and hearing his reaction to Dorothy. In a social media post on October 10, the director revealed that the superstar loved the film and spoke in detail about its various elements for approximately an hour.

Subbaraj recalled Rajinikanth saying, “Intha Karthik Subbaraja thaan thedittu irunthen,” which translates to “This is the Karthik Subbaraj I was looking for”. The director described the exchange as unforgettable and expressed his affection and gratitude towards the actor.

The praise carries particular significance because Subbaraj has often spoken about his admiration for Rajinikanth. Their professional association includes Petta, the 2019 Tamil action drama in which the superstar played the lead role. For the filmmaker, receiving such an enthusiastic response from an actor he admires was a special moment. Rajinikanth’s comments also brought renewed attention to Dorothy and its unconventional storytelling.

Dorothy
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Rajinikanth Praises Sananth’s Challenging Performance

Rajinikanth also had words of appreciation for Sananth, who plays one of the film’s central characters. The actor reportedly described the performance as a challenging role and expressed confidence that it could earn Sananth an award. Sananth shared his reaction to the meeting, recalling Rajinikanth’s praise and expressing excitement over the recognition. He also mentioned the superstar’s surprise at seeing him in a very different role from his appearance as Anwar in Petta.

Rishikanth, who also plays a lead character in Dorothy, was present during the meeting. Both actors have previously appeared in films associated with Rajinikanth, making the interaction a notable moment in their careers. The appreciation highlights the performances at the centre of Dorothy, which places its characters and their changing beliefs at the heart of the narrative rather than relying solely on conventional commercial-film formulas.

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What Is Dorothy About?

Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, Dorothy stars Keerthy Suresh alongside Sananth and Rishikanth. The film follows two friends, Subbu and Karthi, whose lives have been shaped by toxic masculinity, caste prejudice and violence. Their perspectives begin to change after they encounter Dorothy, played by Keerthy Suresh. Her compassion challenges their established beliefs and encourages them to confront the prejudice surrounding them.

The film explores difficult social themes through its characters and relationships, using their emotional journeys to examine how deeply rooted attitudes can affect people’s lives. Its subject matter and character-driven storytelling have helped it attract attention beyond its initial theatrical release. The movie also features music by legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, whose score contributes to the film’s emotional atmosphere. Dorothy received its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11, 2026, before opening in Indian theatres later that month.

Dorothy Receives Appreciation From Film Industry Veterans

Rajinikanth is among several prominent figures who have praised Dorothy and its team. Actors and filmmakers, including Dhanush, Suriya, Upendra, Mani Ratnam and Mammootty, have also expressed appreciation for aspects of the film. Filmmaker Mysskin praised the movie and its lead actors at a success meet, while also making candid remarks about Subbaraj’s earlier film Retro. The discussions have kept Dorothy in the spotlight and generated further interest in its storytelling and performances.

The film’s response is particularly notable because its LGBTQ+ themes initially attracted some backlash. However, the director has highlighted the emotional reactions of viewers and the conversations the film has encouraged as important measures of its impact. Rajinikanth’s endorsement adds another significant moment to the film’s journey, especially for Subbaraj, whose admiration for the superstar is well known.

Final Take

Rajinikanth has given Dorothy a memorable endorsement, calling the film mindblowing and praising Karthik Subbaraj during an hour-long discussion. His recognition of Sananth’s challenging performance has also encouraged the actor, while Rishikanth joined the filmmaker and co-star for the meeting. With appreciation continuing to arrive from prominent figures in Indian cinema, Dorothy is drawing attention for its performances, emotional storytelling and socially relevant themes.

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