The race for India’s official entry to the 99th Academy Awards is officially underway, with the Film Federation of India accepting applications until September 7 and planning to announce its selection on September 19. Eligible films must have been theatrically released in India between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, with films yet to open also able to enter if their producers and distributors undertake to give them the required seven-day theatrical run before the September 30 cutoff.The provision is particularly significant this year because one of the most closely watched contenders has yet to open in Indian cinemas. Karthik Subbaraj’s Dorothy will have its world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival before coming to Indian theatres on September 25. The Tamil-language film stars Keerthy Suresh, Sananth and Rishikanth and marks Subbaraj’s 10th feature as director. It is produced by Jio Studios and Sikhya Entertainment, with Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain among its producers.
A still from ‘Dorothy’
| Photo Credit:
Sikhya Entertainment
Dorothy has the kind of profile that could appeal to an FFI jury looking for a film capable of travelling beyond India while retaining a strong regional identity. Subbaraj has established himself through films such as Retro, Jigarthanda, Petta and Mahaan, while the film’s TIFF premiere gives it an immediate international platform before the FFI makes its decision. The project also features an original score by legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, marking his 1,540th film composition. Its position in the race however, will depend heavily on its reception in Toronto, making it a potential frontrunner rather than an established one.Among films that have already been released, the strongest contender at this stage is arguably Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1. Released in October 2025, the Kannada-language epic expands the mythology of Shetty’s 2022 blockbuster Kantara, drawing heavily on the folklore, ritual traditions and history of Karnataka’s Tulunadu region. The film has the brand of cultural specificity that has often helped Indian regional cinema stand out in the Oscar selection process.
