Rishikanth on ‘Dorothy’, newfound fame and his journey from a Chennai mansion to a new home

After 15 years of chasing film dreams, Rishikanth finds success with ‘Dorothy’ and ‘Modha Rathri’,making him Tamil cinema’s latest sensation. How is he taking it all in?

Updated - November 03, 2026 06:22 pm IST

Actor Rishikanth, riding on the success of recent Tamil films ‘Modha Rathri’ and ‘Dorothy’, during a recent visit to 'The Hindu' office in Chennai | Photo Credit: Thamodharan B

In Chennai, a ‘mansion’ does not refer to a palatial residence, but to a tiny room where a few men jostle for space amidst beds, luggage and a clothesline heavy with damp shirts. For many aspiring young actors from across Tamil Nadu, these mansions, where room rents are about ₹500 a night, are where their journeys begin.

Actor Rishikanth aka Rishi, Tamil cinema’s latest sensation, currently lives in one of these mansions in Chennai’s Ekkaduthangal. But presumably, not for long. Rishi arrived in Chennai from his hometown, Thanjavur, 15 years ago, dreaming of making it big in films. Today, with Modha Rathri and Dorothy earning acclaim, he has become a celebrity, often getting mobbed by fans for autographs and selfies when he is out.

Published - November 03, 2026 04:15 pm IST

The Hindu MetroPlus / Tamil cinema

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