Yash declares ‘girls will have a blast’ watching Toxic amid criticism over film's portrayal of women

During the pre-release event of Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups, Yash defended it amid criticism and said that the film is being misunderstood. 

Published on: Aug 23, 2026, 14:16:34 IST

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The trailer of Yash’s much-awaited film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups received backlash over its portrayal of women. At a recent pre-release event for the film, Yash addressed the criticism and assured fans that girls “would have a blast” after watching it.

Yash says girls will have a blast watching Toxic

While addressing the audience, the actor noticed a large number of girls in the crowd. He then spoke about the criticism surrounding the film’s portrayal of women and said, “Society… they may say, they may not accept it but the point is everybody will look upon you. I am not respected for my money, I am respected for my work, and I know the director will prove that every woman and every girl can face every kind of situation, express their thoughts, express their vision and succeed in this society.”

He further urged girls to watch the film in theatres, saying, “There’s a voice for women in this film, unlike how it is coming across in the trailer. Watch the movie and enjoy. All you girls, you will have a blast.”

Toxic criticism

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Toxic has faced criticism over its promotional material. The teaser drew backlash over a graphic intimate scene between the protagonist and an unnamed woman in a van, with some viewers accusing the makers of pandering to the male gaze. The film’s song Tabaahi also sparked controversy, with Kiara Advani facing trolling over her intimate scenes with Yash.

The criticism continued after the trailer was released. Several viewers expressed disappointment over the female leads seemingly having limited screen time, while some also questioned the portrayal of women in the film. However, Yash’s gangster avatar and the film’s larger-than-life visuals received praise from many fans.

About Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups

The period gangster drama is directed by Geetu Mohandas, who is known for the National Award-winning film Liar’s Dice. The film is backed by KVN Productions and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations and is reportedly one of the most expensive Indian films shot in Kannada and English. It stars Yash in a double role alongside Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi and Rukmini Vasanth.

The film has generated significant buzz ahead of its release. Toxic’s advance bookings opened on Friday, five days before its theatrical release, and the film has reportedly grossed ₹18 crore through advance bookings on its opening day, with three days still to go before its release. It is scheduled to hit theatres on August 26.

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