Karthik Subbaraj’s ‘Dorothy,’ Backed by Jio Studios and Sikhya Entertainment, Reveals Title Ahead of Historic TIFF Premiere!

Anticipation is running high as Jio Studios and Sikhya Entertainment officially reveal the title announcement for writer-director Karthik Subbaraj’s Dorothy, right ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, with a nationwide theatrical release across India slated for September 25.

Writer-director Karthik Subbaraj’s landmark 10th feature, Dorothy, is set to have its world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival in the Centrepiece section. The Tamil-language feature, with an original score by legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja in his milestone 1,540th film, is backed by Jio Studios and Sikhya Entertainment and joins TIFF’s acclaimed international program, formerly known as Contemporary World Cinema, which showcases celebrated filmmakers, festival favourites and highly anticipated world premieres from across the globe.

Ahead of its festival debut, the makers have unveiled the title announcement for Dorothy. Inspired by the vibrant yet fading tradition of Indian highway truck art, the poster reflects the spirit of the road and subtly foreshadows the journey that lies at the heart of Dorothy.

Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain in association with Dhammam Films, Dorothy stars Sananth, Rishikanth and Keerthy Suresh in pivotal roles and is slated for a theatrical release across India on Sept. 25, 2026.

Karthik Subbaraj, Writer-Director, said, “Dorothy is a film I’ve carried with me for a long time. It comes from a world I know intimately, one where friendship becomes a refuge, where love survives in silence, and where tenderness exists even in the harshest of places. Through this story, I wanted to explore identity, caste, masculinity, and compassion, not through spectacle, but through deeply human characters. While it’s rooted in the culture and landscape of Tamil Nadu, I believe its emotions are universal. We’re proud that its journey begins on a global stage like TIFF.”

Jyoti Deshpande, President – Jio Studios, whose banner is behind the record-breaking global blockbuster Dhurandhar duology and whose films have collectively won the most National Awards by any Indian studio, said, “The most powerful stories are rooted in authenticity yet speak to audiences everywhere. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, it is human emotion that remains timeless. Dorothy embodies that beautifully. Karthik Subbaraj has crafted a deeply moving film, elevated by Illaiyaraaja’s extraordinary music and unforgettable performances. We’re thrilled that its journey begins at TIFF, where we hope it is celebrated for its artistry, heart and courage”.

Guneet Monga Kapoor & Achin Jain, Producers, Sikhya Entertainment, the Academy Award-winning team behind The Elephant Whisperers, said, “Dorothy reminds us that empathy is one of the most powerful forces we have. What makes Karthik Subbaraj’s storytelling so distinctive is that it finds grace and humanity in places where you least expect it. That’s what makes Dorothy so special. It has the depth of a festival film with the heart and accessibility of commercial cinema. We hope its world premiere at TIFF is the beginning of a journey that connects with audiences across cultures and borders.”

About Karthik Subbaraj
Karthik Subbaraj is a critically acclaimed Indian filmmaker known for his bold, genre- bending cinema. He broke through with Pizza (2012), followed by landmark films such as Jigarthanda (2014), Iraivi (2016) and Mercury (2018). His work spans mainstream hits like Petta (2019), starring Indian Superstar Rajnikanth, and cults like Mahaan (2022) and Jigarthanda Double X (2023). Often dubbed as the “Tarantino of India,” his films combine stylistic flair with emotional depth and moral complexity.

About Jio Studios
Jio Studios, the media and content arm of Reliance Industries Limited, is India’s leading content studio and a market leader in entertainment. The studio has delivered some of Indian cinema’s biggest blockbusters, including the Dhurandhar duology franchise, which grossed over ₹3,000 crore (US$330 million) worldwide. It has also produced India’s highest-grossing Hindi films for three consecutive years: Stree 2 (2024), Dhurandhar (2025), and Dhurandhar The Revenge (2026). At the 72nd National Film Awards, Jio Studios emerged as the most-awarded content studio, with four honours, including Best Feature Film. Having produced over 200 films and series, it continues to champion its vision of “Make in India, Show the World” by creating compelling stories for audiences across the globe.

About Sikhya Entertainment
Sikhya Entertainment is an Academy Award®️-winning production house known for authentic, conversation-driven storytelling with global impact. Its acclaimed slate includes the Oscar®️-winning The Elephant Whisperers (2023), KILL (2024), The Lunchbox, Masaan, Pagglait, What Will People Say, and the Oscar®️-winning short documentary Period. End of Sentence. Recent successes include the National Award-winning features: Kathal – A Jackfruit Mystery (2023) and Soorarai Pottru (2020), Zee5 web-series Gyaarah Gyaarah (2024), documentary Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous (2024), and multiple seasons of Amazon MX Player’s top-rated show Gutar Gu (2023–2025). Showcased at leading international festivals including Cannes and TIFF, Sikhya continues to push the boundaries of South Asian storytelling across films, documentaries, series, and podcasts, bringing locally rooted stories to audiences worldwide. Dorothy marks Sikhya’s return to Tamil-language film after a four-year gap since the Academy Award-winning documentary, The Elephant Whisperers.

By Keerti Kadam