Cinema VinesActor Akshay Oberoi has publicly defended his co‑star Yash amid rumours that the Kannada star’s interference may have cost the film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown‑Ups its box‑office potential. Oberoi, who also starred in the film, appeared on a YouTube chat with Kadak to address the claims that Yash altered scenes during production, a theory that critics and audiences have linked to the movie’s disappointing performance.
According to Oberoi, the film was an ambitious project that sought to bring Kannada cinema onto an international stage. He said the team aimed to deliver something fresh, but ultimately the movie “missed our target.” Oberoi stressed that he would not blame any individual for the film’s shortcomings, noting that the outcome was beyond the control of the cast and crew. He added that he had been directed by Geethu Mohandas throughout the shoot and that he had no recollection of Yash meddling in the creative process.
When asked about Yash’s involvement, Oberoi praised the star’s ambition and charisma. He described Yash as a “different being altogether,” noting that Yash’s presence had a profound influence on the crew. Oberoi said Yash had single‑handedly propelled a Kannada film into a pan‑India phenomenon and had sought to elevate Toxic to an international level, even if the experiment did not pay off commercially.
Despite a strong opening that crossed ₹100 crore worldwide on its first day, Toxic saw a sharp decline in collections from day two onward, eventually grossing ₹341.52 crore worldwide and ₹249.49 crore net in India. Critics offered mixed reviews, commending the film’s ambition and visual style while criticizing its execution and storytelling. The film’s failure to sustain momentum has led to speculation about behind‑the‑scenes dynamics, a narrative Oberoi now seeks to dispel.
Oberoi concluded by expressing hope to work again with director Geethu Mohandas and reaffirmed his pride in the project. He urged audiences to judge the film on its own merits rather than on social‑media speculation, emphasizing that viewers who bought tickets have the right to form their own opinions.
