Cinema VinesAkshay Oberoi, who plays the slick gangster Tony in Geetu Mohandas’ Kannada‑English feature Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown‑Ups, shared his thoughts about the film and its star, Yash, in a recent interview with the Hindustan Times. Oberoi praised the movie’s bold premise and the collaborative spirit that brought it to life, describing the experience as a “two different schools collaborating and putting together something bold and unique.” He added that the director, Mohandas, treated him as an equal to the film’s big names and that he would love to work with her again.
Oberoi’s character, a “lomdi‑like” gangster with long hair, high‑waisted pants and a swagger, is part of a plot that sees Tony and his sister Elizabeth, played by Huma Qureshi, scheme to bring down the powerful Yash, who also stars as the antagonist Raya. The actor said that his time on set with Qureshi turned into a friendship, noting that “we relied on each other a lot and had such fun shooting our scenes.”
When discussing Yash, Oberoi affectionately referred to him as “Boss,” a term he said “comes from my heart.” He praised Yash’s involvement in all aspects of production—from cinematography to editing—and credited him with elevating Kannada cinema to new heights. “Calling him Boss comes from my heart,” Oberoi said, adding that working with Yash broadened his perspective and highlighted areas where he still has room to grow.
Despite the enthusiasm, Toxic has faced polarized reviews from critics and audiences alike, a reaction that the film’s first promos had already hinted at. Oberoi remained unfazed by the backlash, expressing confidence that the movie’s unique vision would resonate with viewers. He concluded that the experience of playing Tony and collaborating with Mohandas and Yash was a milestone in his career, marking a significant expansion of his audience reach and a step toward larger projects.
