Cinema VinesYash, the Kannada superstar famed for his role in the KGF franchise, returned to the silver screen on 26 August with the gangster drama Toxic. The film, directed by Geetu Mohandas and co‑written by Yash and Mohandas, follows the actor in a dual role and is set in 1950s Goa, weaving a violent revenge saga that the makers describe as a “fairytale for grownups.”
In addition to Yash, the cast features five leading actresses—Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi—bringing a star‑packed ensemble to the story. The film was shot in both Kannada and English and is slated for release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu as well.
Originally slated for a March release, Toxic was pushed to June because of the Middle East conflict and later delayed again due to post‑production setbacks. The final release date of 26 August was announced after the delays, and advance bookings opened five days earlier.
The movie has faced controversy over its explicit violence and sexual content, leading to court cases and criticism from some quarters. Despite this, the Central Board of Film Certification cleared the film with no cuts, only two minor modifications, and granted it an A rating.
Fans celebrated Yash’s return in a festival‑like atmosphere, and the response at the box office was immediate. On its first day in India, the film sold more than 1.5 million tickets, grossing ₹49 crore and setting a record for a first‑day opening in the region.
