Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Akshay Oberoi Defends Yash After Toxic Box Office Disappointment
Toxic is a movie starring Yash that did not earn as much money as expected.
It opened strongly in India but later saw its earnings slow down.
Reports say the movie cost more than Rs 500 crore to make.
Akshay Oberoi, one of the actors, said everyone worked very hard on it.
He said the team tried to make something new and international.
Oberoi also said Geethu Mohandas directed him during filming.
Some people claimed Yash controlled the movie, but Oberoi said that was not his experience.
He praised Yash for being ambitious and for teaching him about filmmaking and business.
Toxic may stream on ZEE5 on September 25, but this has not been officially confirmed.
Toxic opened to more than Rs 100 crore in India but reportedly reached only about Rs 300 crore overall.
The film was reportedly made on a budget exceeding Rs 500 crore and ended its Hindi run near Rs 150 crore.
Akshay Oberoi said the cast and crew worked passionately but may have missed their target with audiences.
Oberoi rejected claims that Yash controlled Toxic’s direction, saying Geethu Mohandas directed him on set.
Oberoi praised Yash’s ambition and described learning about filmmaking, business, VFX, and post-production from him.
- Who
- Actor Akshay Oberoi discussed Yash, Geethu Mohandas, and the performance of Toxic.
- What
- Oberoi addressed Toxic’s box-office disappointment, defended the effort behind the film, and rejected claims that Yash controlled its direction.
- When
- Oberoi made the comments during a post-release appearance on the Kadak podcast; Toxic reportedly opened to more than Rs 100 crore and reached Day 19 after its release.
- Where
- The film was released theatrically in India, and its story is set in Goa under Portuguese rule; Oberoi’s comments were made on the Kadak podcast.
- Why
- Oberoi responded to criticism of Toxic’s performance and reports that Yash dominated the filmmaking process.
Akshay Oberoi’s Account
Public Criticism and Reports
Who controlled the direction?
Akshay Oberoi’s Account
Oberoi said he was directed by Geethu Mohandas and did not see Yash controlling the direction on set. He said he hoped to work with Mohandas again.
Public Criticism and Reports
Reports and social media discussions claimed that Yash dominated the filmmaking process and that Mohandas was merely a namesake director.
Why did Toxic underperform?
Akshay Oberoi’s Account
Oberoi said the team gave its all, attempted an ambitious and unique project, and may have missed its target with audiences. He said he remained proud of the film and would not blame anyone.
Public Criticism and Reports
Audiences and critics criticized the film, while its reported collection of about Rs 300 crore fell below its reported budget of more than Rs 500 crore.
Yash’s involvement in the film
Akshay Oberoi’s Account
Oberoi described Yash as supportive and said they discussed Hindi dialogues, the script, business, VFX, and other post-production matters.
Public Criticism and Reports
The extent of Yash’s involvement has prompted public discussion, with some reports attributing broad creative control to him.
- Opening performance
- Toxic opened to more than Rs 100 crore across 24,579 shows in India.
- Day 19 collection
- The film reportedly collected Rs 24 lakh across 292 shows on Day 19.
- Hindi theatrical collection
- Its Hindi theatrical run reportedly ended at around Rs 150 crore.
- Reported total collection
- Toxic’s total collection was approximately Rs 300 crore.
- Reported budget
- The film was reportedly made for more than Rs 500 crore.
- Director
- Geethu Mohandas directed Toxic.
- Potential OTT release
- Toxic will reportedly debut on ZEE5 on September 25, although neither the makers nor the platform has officially announced it.
