Director Karthik Subbaraj has opened up about the response to his latest film, ‘Dorothy,’ and thanked audiences for supporting the project. Speaking at an event in Madurai, the filmmaker said he wanted the film to receive the kind of love that his earlier films, ‘Petta’ and ‘Jailer 2,’ have received from moviegoers. The film, starring Sananth and Rishikanth alongside Keerthy Suresh, has also drawn attention for its emotional story and bold climax. Karthik Subbaraj said he was happy to see audiences connect with the film and hoped its message had helped change some people’s views.
Karthik Subbaraj on ‘Dorothy’ success and audience response
Speaking about the film’s reception as reported by News 18, Karthik Subbaraj said, “The film was made with the intention that people should celebrate Dorothy the way they celebrate films like ‘Petta’ and ‘Jailer 2.’ People have done exactly that, and I thank them for it.” He added that the audience response went beyond enjoying the film, as the team also noticed a small change in the way some viewers looked at its subject. The director said he was pleased that the story had reached people emotionally. He also spoke about his connection with Madurai, explaining how the city shaped his interest in cinema, introduced him to people, and helped him develop his writing. He said many of the stories he tells have their roots in the place where he grew up.
Why Karthik Subbaraj kept the ending
The film’s climax, which features a kiss between the lead characters, became a major topic of discussion after its release. Karthik Subbaraj revealed that the script originally had another scene after the kiss, but he decided not to shoot it. Explaining his choice, he said, “There was another scene in the script after the kiss in the climax. But I did not shoot it. After making the film and watching the edit, I felt that I could not give a better climax than the kiss in the film.” He also said the team faced some tension after negative reviews appeared on the first day.However, the response in theatres was encouraging, with audiences applauding the climax in several places.
Karthik Subbaraj on violence and human emotions in his films
Karthik Subbaraj also explained his approach to storytelling, saying his films do not present people as entirely good or bad. “Nobody among humans is completely good, and nobody is completely bad. People exist somewhere in between. That is the kind of people I show in my films,” he said, adding that violence sometimes becomes necessary to tell such stories but is not meant to be glorified.‘Dorothy,’ which features music by Ilaiyaraaja, is now available to stream on Netflix. The director’s comments have brought fresh attention to the film’s themes and its ending, which he believes was essential to completing the characters’ emotional journey.
