Dorothy at Rs 13.30 Crore as Upendra Joins the Praise

Karthik Subbaraj’s Dorothy has found a new champion in Kannada cinema, and it has arrived at a useful moment. Actor-director Upendra attended a screening and praised the film’s craft, its performances and the conviction behind a sensitive subject. But the warmth from industry giants is still running ahead of the film’s commercial returns.

Upendra adds his voice to the chorus

Karthik shared a video of their interaction on social media, in which Upendra congratulated him and spoke about how the film balances artistic ambition, commercial appeal and poetic sensibility. He told the director, “You have taken such an interesting film and have done it superbly. Hats off to you, sir.”

The praise extended to the cast. Upendra told Rishikanth he looked like a “commercial mass hero” and told Sananth he had delivered an “extraordinary performance.” The Kannada star also said watching the film helped him understand why Karthik has long admired his cult cinema.

He joins a growing list of admirers that includes:

• Suriya
• Mari Selvaraj
• Mammootty

Karthik responded on X, writing that Upendra’s appreciation “means a lot” coming from someone whose work he has admired.

Festival acclaim meets a modest box office

Dorothy already has serious festival credentials, including a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival. Yet that goodwill has not fully converted into ticket sales. According to Sacnilk figures cited by Filmfare, the film has collected Rs 13.30 crore from theatres across India.

The gap is a familiar one for festival-favoured films: critical prestige can keep a title in the conversation while theatre audiences remain small. The praise from peers is genuine, but it does not automatically become a mass theatrical moment.

What comes next

Upendra said he expects Dorothy to travel to more festivals, which could give the film a longer discovery arc. Keerthy Suresh also plays an important role in the film, a detail that may widen interest once the conversation reaches a broader audience.

For now, the team has another meaningful endorsement and a festival story that is still unfolding, even as the India box office remains a point of discussion.

Source: Filmfare