Keerthy Suresh’s Dorothy has opened to a disappointing response in the Telugu states. The independent period drama, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, arrived in Telugu after generating attention for its premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival and receiving appreciation from several celebrities ahead of its theatrical release.

The film had a slow beginning during its first weekend in Tamil Nadu. However, Dorothy reportedly showed better stability on weekdays as positive word-of-mouth helped the film attract more attention among audiences.

The Telugu version was released yesterday, but the initial response at the box office has been weak. Dorothy recorded negligible numbers on its opening day across the Telugu states, with the film struggling to make a noticeable impact.

One of the challenges appears to be limited awareness about the film among Telugu audiences. At the same time, the movie’s content has a niche appeal, which may have restricted its reach beyond a specific section of viewers.

The contrast between the film’s response in Tamil Nadu and its Telugu opening has now become a point of interest. While Dorothy managed to hold better in Tamil Nadu after a weak first weekend, it remains to be seen whether the Telugu version can similarly gain momentum through word-of-mouth in the coming days.

Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the period drama features Keerthy Suresh in the lead role. Sananth and Rishikanth are also part of the cast in key roles.

Dorothy is jointly produced by Sikhya Entertainment and Jio Studios. The film’s performance in the Telugu market over the next few days will determine whether it can recover from its slow start and build a wider audience.