Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Toxic’s Five Women Remain Trapped in Yash’s Story
Toxic was promoted as a film that would give women important voices.
It was directed by Geetu Mohandas and stars five well-known actresses.
The article says the women still mostly exist to help the male hero, Raya.
Ganga spends her life supporting her brother.
Nadia’s trauma mainly creates a problem for Raya to solve.
Rebecca becomes someone Raya leaves behind when he falls for Nadia.
Mellisa falls for Raya without the film clearly explaining why.
Elizabeth’s story is revealed late and ends with her death.
The article concludes that better costumes and more dialogue do not necessarily mean better-written female characters.
Toxic director Geetu Mohandas and Yash presented the film as offering women a stronger voice.
The article argues that all five female characters exist mainly to advance Raya’s journey.
Nayanthara’s Ganga is portrayed as devoted entirely to her brother and his underworld ambitions.
Kiara Advani’s Nadia, Tara Sutaria’s Rebecca and Rukmini Vasanth’s Mellisa are also described through their relationships with Raya.
Huma Qureshi’s Elizabeth carries a late-revealed secret, but the article says her arc arrives too late to have much impact.
- Who
- Toxic, starring Yash and five prominent actresses including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi, and directed by Geetu Mohandas.
- What
- An opinion article argues that Toxic fails to give its female characters independent storylines despite promising a stronger female voice.
- When
- The criticism follows the film’s release and refers to a promotional event held a few days before release.
- Where
- The promotional event took place at Malla Reddy University in Hyderabad; the film’s story is discussed as being centered partly in Goa’s underworld.
- Why
- The article says each woman enters and exits the narrative according to what Raya needs, making the film’s promise of meaningful female representation unfulfilled.
Film’s Promised Representation
Article’s Critique
Women’s voices
Film’s Promised Representation
Yash said Toxic would show women facing difficult situations, expressing their views and succeeding in society.
Article’s Critique
The article argues that the five women mainly exist to make Raya feel, change or advance his story.
Effect of a female director
Film’s Promised Representation
The film’s promotion highlighted Geetu Mohandas’s role as a woman director, while Kiara Advani credited her with bringing Nadia to life.
Article’s Critique
The article says female direction alone cannot guarantee independent female characters when the screenplay keeps Raya at the center.
Character development
Film’s Promised Representation
The cast members were presented as talented performers taking on substantial roles, and Huma Qureshi hinted that Elizabeth’s character contained a major secret.
Article’s Critique
The article says the characters lack independent ambitions, motivations or arcs, and that Elizabeth’s revelation comes too late to matter.
- Film
- Toxic
- Director
- Geetu Mohandas
- Male lead
- Yash
- Female cast discussed
- Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi
- Central criticism
- The women are portrayed primarily as devices serving Raya’s emotional and criminal journey.
- Promotional claim
- Yash said the film would contain a voice for women and urged audiences not to judge it solely by its teaser and trailer.
- Promotional venue
- Malla Reddy University, Hyderabad