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.“Is this success?” he asks me, “You cannot call this phase that. All I got with these two films is an opportunity.
What matters is what I make of this.”Rishikanth is at The Hindu headquarters in Chennai wearing a crisp, black shirt, paired with jet black pants. It is a welcome change in wardrobe for the actor who has been repeating outfits in the largely chaotic promotional events and theatre visits he has been doing over the last few weeks.But – much like the twist in his latest film outing Dorothy – the origin story of his black shirt is a surprise. “This shirt...,” he says, pointing to what he is wearing, “Someone gifted it to me during one of my theatre visits, post the release of Dorothy.
In the last few days, whatever I have been wearing have been gifts that audiences have showered on me.” Actor Rishikanth, riding on the success of Tamil films Modha Rathri and Dorothy, during a visit to 'The Hindu' office in Chennai. | Photo Credit: Thamodharan B The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity for the actor, fresh off two of the biggest Tamil films of 2026. If his lead debut in Modha Rathrisaw him in the role of a reluctant groom, Dorothy saw him exploring a relationship with his childhood friend and accepting the changes that came with it.The buzz around him is unmistakable, particularly on Instagram, where audiences, especially young women, constantly share Reels celebrating the actor.
How is he processing the recent wave of attention towards him? “In my 15 years in cinema, I have felt lonely many times but during these last two months, I have felt that I have a huge family [of audiences] out there. They saw me as one of their own.
A lot of them told me that my win felt personal to them. I see that as a blessing.
I’ll be careful to not break that trust.”New learningsRishi says that Dorothy, directed by Karthik Subburaj and featuring music by Ilaiyaraaja, challenged his own pre-conceived notions. “My world view was formed thanks to my mother,” he recalls, “As a child, when I first saw some transgender people, my mother told me, ‘Avanga saami’ (They are gods). So, I have always had tremendous respect.
But in the process of working on Dorothy, I realised that by doing that, we are distancing them. I learnt that we have to look at them as women and human beings.” Rishikanth and Sananth in ‘Dorothy’, directed by Karthik Subburaj Featuring Rishikanth and Sananth in lead roles, Dorothy has emerged as one of Tamil cinema’s most prominent queer narratives.
After its release on Netflix, its sequences have been dissected by fans, particularly the bus-stand scene in which Karthi (played by Rishi) sees his childhood friend as a woman for the first time. How did he prepare for this particular sequence, in which he had to showcase extreme disgust? “I read the script thoroughly and the sequences are embedded in my mind, I keep my mind blank every time we shoot and surrender to the director.
I am afraid, especially while shooting such crucial sequences.”Rishi mentions the acclaimed monologue sequence, where he has to communicate his situation without speaking. “It was tough,” he admits, “We were shooting in Karnataka and a group of people had assembled to watch it. The minute we said ‘cut’, everyone clapped.
It felt great.”What’s in a name?Growing up in Thanjavur — his father is a farmer from Ayyampettai — Rishi took to the arts early thanks to cultural competitions. “I liked Physics a bit when it came to studies but what I really loved was the energy of cultural competitions,” he recalls. It was during those events that people would give specific attention to his name. “I would introduce myself as just Rishi but many would insist on hearing my full name,” he laughs.
Saying Rishikanth — a name his parents picked because attaching a ‘kanth’ to a name was in vogue then — would inevitably prompt questions. “Are you related to Rajinikanth?,” people would ask, “After a point, it became so taxing that I began to carry my ID proof with me.”The ‘kanth’ in his name, the way he brushes his hair and his demeanor have already led some fans to describe him as the “next Rajinikanth”. Mention that, and Rishi just smiles, “I have always been a massive Rajinikanth fan growing up, watching his films and his audio launch speeches.
I got the opportunity to share screen space with him for a short while in Coolie, and up close, I could see his immense discipline and work ethic.”He adds that the Jailer 2 superstar invited the Dorothy team for a meeting, where he praised the film. “He told me, ‘Rishikanth, super, super. A star is born.’ My day was made.” Actor Rishikanth, riding on the success of Tamil films ‘Modha Rathri’ and ‘Dorothy’, during a recent visit to 'The Hindu' office in Chennai. | Photo Credit: Thamodharan B Fresh startWhile some people might already know Rishi from the Youtube channel Temple Monkeys, where he performed comedy sketches, and short films, the success of his recent work puts more pressure on him.
His public appearances have increased. He has changed phone numbers, resulting in him missing several important calls, leading some to describe him as “a person with attitude” who is constantly unreachable.Rishi admits he is still grappling with his changed circumstances: “I haven’t even gone to my ooru yet.
I am just trying to get my life a little more organised.”Up next, he has a few options: turning his short films or pilots into full-fledged feature films, or listening to new script narrations. “I would love to work with upcoming assistant directors with new teams,” he says. Among his things-to-do list is convincing his father to come to Chennai to spend time with him. “Appa feels that he cannot leave farming and come to the city.
Ever since the demise of my mother a few years ago, we have been living separately. I want my father, sister and me to live under one roof.
I have just found a house in Chennai and am planning to shift there soon, along with them.”Then, his mansion days will also give way to new beginnings. For, a star is born.