Karthik Subbaraj Reveals Why 'Dorothy' Ends With a Kiss: 'I Couldn't Give a Better Climax'

Karthik Subbaraj Thanks Audiences as 'Dorothy' Finds Its Moment

Director Karthik Subbaraj has spoken out about the reception to his latest film, Dorothy, thanking moviegoers for the way they have embraced the project. Speaking at an event in Madurai, the filmmaker said he had hoped the film would receive the same affection audiences have shown his earlier work, and that the response in theatres exceeded his expectations.

"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," Subbaraj said, as reported by News 18.

The director added that the audience response went beyond simply enjoying the film. The team, he said, noticed a small shift in the way some viewers looked at its subject matter, and he was pleased that the story had reached people on an emotional level.

Why the Story Couldn't Be Told Without That Final Scene

The climax of Dorothy, which features a kiss between the lead characters, became one of the most discussed elements of the film after its release. Subbaraj revealed that the script originally contained another scene after the kiss, but he chose not to shoot it.

"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 explained.

The director also acknowledged that the team faced tension after negative reviews emerged on the first day of release. That early reaction, however, gave way to a warmer response in theatres, with audiences reportedly applauding the climax in several places.

Madurai Roots and the 'In-Between' People He Writes

Reflecting on his connection to Madurai, Subbaraj said the city shaped his interest in cinema, introduced him to the collaborators who became part of his journey, and helped him develop his writing. Many of the stories he tells, he noted, have their roots in the place where he grew up.

He also explained his approach to storytelling, saying his films refuse to present people as purely good or purely 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 never meant to be glorified.

Dorothy, which stars Sananth and Rishikanth alongside Keerthy Suresh and 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 to an ending he believes was essential to completing its characters' emotional journey.