Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Karthik Subbaraj Rejects Boycott Calls Against Dorothy
Dorothy is a movie about a transgender person living in a strict family and community.
The story takes place in Madurai during the 1990s.
Some people online criticized the movie and asked others to boycott it.
They said the film was promoting LGBTQ+ ideas.
Director Karthik Subbaraj said these angry online comments came from only a small group.
He said many people who watched the movie in theatres told him they liked it.
He believes the movie should lead to a real conversation about gender and discrimination.
He also said he would not keep arguing with online trolls.
Director Karthik Subbaraj dismissed #BoycottDorothy calls and transphobic criticism as limited online hostility.
He said reactions on X do not represent the larger audience watching Dorothy in theatres.
Dorothy portrays a transgender person facing discrimination, violence and social pressure in 1990s Madurai.
Subbaraj invited viewers to discuss the film’s treatment of gender identity rather than engage with online trolls.
The film stars Keerthy Suresh, Sananth and Rishikanth and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
- Who
- Director Karthik Subbaraj, along with Dorothy’s cast and audiences, is at the center of the discussion.
- What
- Subbaraj rejected online criticism and boycott calls targeting Dorothy, while defending its portrayal of a transgender person’s life.
- When
- The film was released theatrically on Friday; Subbaraj addressed the criticism in a recent media interaction. It premiered at TIFF on September 12.
- Where
- The story is set in 1990s Madurai, while the online criticism appeared on X and the film premiered in Toronto.
- Why
- Critics called for a boycott after accusing the film of promoting LGBTQ+ ideas, while Subbaraj said the film should encourage discussion about gender identity and discrimination.
Film’s defenders
Online critics
Audience reaction
Film’s defenders
Karthik Subbaraj said many theatre audiences told him the film was good and that online hostility did not reflect their views.
Online critics
A section of social media users criticized the film and called for a boycott under #BoycottDorothy.
Portrayal of gender identity
Film’s defenders
Subbaraj defended showing a transgender person’s life and invited viewers to have a genuine discussion about gender identity and discrimination.
Online critics
Critics objected to the film’s LGBTQ+-related themes and accused it of promoting LGBTQ+ ideas.
Value of online debate
Film’s defenders
Subbaraj said the film had created a public conversation but that he would not respond endlessly to online trolls.
Online critics
The hostile online discussion has continued to shape media questions about the film, despite the director’s view that it comes from a small group.
- Film
- Dorothy
- Writer-director
- Karthik Subbaraj
- Main setting
- 1990s Madurai
- Online campaign
- #BoycottDorothy
- Cast
- Keerthy Suresh, Sananth and Rishikanth
- International premiere
- Toronto International Film Festival, Centrepiece category, September 12
- Production
- Jio Studios, Sikhya Entertainment and Dhammam Films