Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Aug 25: Kannada superstar Yash is all set to return to the big screen with Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, nearly four years after the blockbuster success of KGF: Chapter 2. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the gangster drama is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on Aug 26 and has emerged as one of the most anticipated Indian films of 2026.
The film stars Yash in the lead, with reports suggesting that he plays two characters, Raya and Rumi/Ticket. Kiara Advani plays Nadia, while Nayanthara portrays Ganga, described as Raya’s sister. Rukmini Vasanth appears as arms dealer Mellisa, with Huma Qureshi as Elizabeth and Tara Sutaria as Rebecca. The supporting cast includes Akshay Oberoi, Sudev Nair and Darrell D’Silva.
Toxic marks Yash’s collaboration with Geetu Mohandas, who has moved into a large-scale action drama after making acclaimed Malayalam films. Set in post-independence Goa, the film revolves around a gangster caught between loyalty, morality and the pursuit of redemption in a violent world. The story explores themes of love, envy and redemption through morally complex characters.
The Central Board of Film Certification has awarded the film an ‘A’ certificate. The movie has a runtime of three hours and 12 minutes, making it one of the longest major theatrical releases of the year. The CBFC has reportedly not ordered any visual cuts but has directed the makers to mute and replace two words in the original Kannada version. Mandatory anti-smoking and anti-drinking disclaimers have also been prescribed.
The film underwent several release-date changes. It was initially scheduled for March 19 before being postponed amid Middle East tensions and was later moved again to accommodate international distribution arrangements.
Advance bookings have generated strong interest ahead of release. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, advance sales had crossed 6.34 lakh tickets by 9 am on August 24, with gross collections from advance bookings running into tens of crores. Mumbai has reportedly witnessed particularly strong demand, prompting exhibitors to add early-morning and late-night shows.
The film has also attracted considerable discussion over the portrayal of its female characters, particularly following promotional material and the song Tabaahi. Addressing the criticism at a pre-release event in Hyderabad, Yash said the promotional material does not represent the complete story and urged audiences to watch the film before drawing conclusions. He described Toxic as bold, original, ambitious and path-breaking and highlighted Geetu Mohandas’ contribution and the female perspective within the story.
The film was shot across several locations, including Bengaluru Palace and Peenya in Karnataka, Mumbai’s Film City and Madh Island, Palolem Beach in Goa, Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu and Jaipur in Rajasthan.
Yash is also producing the film under Monster Mind Creations. Reports have claimed that he has not taken a separate acting fee for the project. Kiara Advani is reportedly receiving around Rs 15 crore, while Nayanthara’s remuneration has been reported in the range of Rs 12 crore to Rs 18 crore. Rukmini Vasanth, Huma Qureshi and Tara Sutaria are reportedly earning between Rs 3 crore and Rs 5 crore each.
Toxic is expected to receive a massive worldwide release, with reports suggesting that it will be screened across around 12,000 screens. The film will be released in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and English.
With Yash returning after the phenomenal success of KGF: Chapter 2, the film’s A-certificate positioning, long runtime, extensive release and strong advance booking have heightened expectations for its opening. Trade watchers are closely tracking whether Toxic can translate the pre-release buzz into one of the biggest worldwide openings of 2026.