Karthik Subbaraj! I hadn't really explored this director's filmography until I realised that the only film of his I had watched years ago was Pizza, a horror thriller that I absolutely loved. When a friend reviewed Dorothy, I deliberately avoided reading the review because I suspected there might be spoilers. Keerthy Suresh was another reason I really wanted to watch this film.
The movie begins by introducing us to a village steeped in misplaced masculinity, where men look down upon women, hide behind hollow notions of honour and justify their actions through deeply rooted beliefs. The setting itself gives you a glimpse of the kind of world you are about to enter.
Karthi and Subbu are childhood friends who study in the same class. They are so closely intertwined that, at times, you could mistake them for brothers. Karthi is heavily influenced by Subbu, Bruce Lee's moves, masculine attitudes and the larger-than-life heroes he watches on screen. The influence of cinema on their personalities is quite fascinating.
The film also introduces us to the violent men in their families, particularly the father, Whistleyya (in the Telugu adaptation). His characteristic whistling is so distinct that it almost haunts you throughout the movie.
As the boys grow older, their personalities evolve, shaped by their circumstances, the people around them and the beliefs they inherit. The film does a wonderful job of portraying how old-fashioned ideas about how men and women should behave continue to influence generations.
Cinema, after all, was one of the few sources of entertainment in a small village. The two friends grow up watching Telugu and Hindi films, along with A-rated adult films, which they seem equally fascinated by. Their conversations, reactions and interpretations of what they watch are quite amusing and adds little humor too.
The film captures the cinema culture of the 1980s and 1990s, with references to Kamal Haasan's Nayagan and Rajinikanth's films. Karthi modelling himself after Rajinikanth and Subbu drawing inspiration from Bruce Lee are lovely details that establish their personalities and the times they grow up in. These cinematic references aren't merely nostalgic additions; they also help us understand how films influence their ideas of masculinity, heroism and life itself.
What I particularly loved was how every character has a purpose. There are no weak or insignificant characters. Each one gets under your skin and occupies a little space in your mind. You keep wondering why someone behaves a certain way, what changed them and what circumstances shaped their choices.
The mysterious deaths of women in the family, both in the past and in the present, add layers of suspense and unease. There are moments of intense violence and disturbing revelations. I actually had to pause the movie in the middle of the night because I couldn't bring myself to continue after a particular scene. There were moments when I was almost teary eyed too.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so I will deliberately stay away from discussing the storyline. But the way the narrative transforms in the second half, how the two childhood friends find themselves on opposite sides, and the situations that lead one to become the other's adversary make for a compelling watch.
I have friends who remind me of Subbu, and perhaps that made certain portions of the film particularly profound. I can understand the pain that people like him go through, and that emotional connection stayed with me.
The ending was unexpectedly heartwarming. Watching the characters' journeys unfold, especially Karthi's gradual realisation, was immensely satisfying. And Keerthy Suresh! Even though she doesn't have an overwhelming amount of screen time, she brings such a strong presence to the film. She is one of its backbones, and her character stays with you.
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