Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Yash Defends Toxic's Adult Content, Calls It Art 'For Grown-ups'
A new movie called 'Toxic' is coming soon, and grown-ups are talking a lot about it.
It is a gangster film directed by Geetu Mohandas and stars a very famous actor named Yash, along with many other actors.
Some people are unhappy because the movie's ads and some scenes show things they think are only for adults.
A group called the Karnataka State Women's Commission asked the movie board to check the movie's teaser.
Yash says the movie is only for grown-ups and children should stay home.
He says the movie is like a 'fairytale for grown-ups' and that the grown-up scenes are there to make people think.
He also says the director is a woman who believes women should be free to talk about their own wishes and feelings.
Yash explained that the romantic scenes are just two characters, Raya and Nadia, showing how much they love each other.
The movie opens in theaters on August 26.
Yash defended Toxic's adult content and intimate scenes, saying they are meant to raise meaningful questions, not for gimmicks.
The gangster film, directed by Geetu Mohandas, marks Yash's first release since KGF: Chapter 2 (2022).
Yash said Toxic is strictly for adults, using the tagline 'fairytale for grown-ups,' and asked children to stay away.
The Karnataka State Women's Commission wrote to the CBFC about alleged obscene scenes in Toxic's teaser.
Toxic releases worldwide on Wednesday, August 26, starring Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.
- Who
- Actor Yash, director Geetu Mohandas, and co-stars Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth; the Karnataka State Women's Commission and the Central Board of Film Certification are also involved.
- What
- Yash defended Toxic's adult content and intimate scenes amid criticism, calling them artistic choices meant to raise meaningful questions rather than gimmicks.
- When
- Yash spoke about a week before the film's release; Toxic hits screens worldwide on Wednesday, August 26.
- Where
- India, where Yash appeared on Aap Ki Adalat; the film will release worldwide.
- Why
- Criticism over the film's purported sexualisation of women and intimate scenes, plus a complaint from the Karnataka State Women's Commission to the CBFC, prompted Yash to defend the film's intent.
Critics and regulators
Yash and the filmmakers
Teaser obscenity complaint
Critics and regulators
The Karnataka State Women's Commission wrote to the CBFC over alleged obscene scenes in Toxic's teaser, and many criticised the film's promotional material for the purported sexualisation of women.
Yash and the filmmakers
Yash says the intent behind the scenes is clear and done to raise meaningful questions, not for gimmicks, and that people will understand once they see the film.
Intimate scenes in 'Tabaahi' song
Critics and regulators
The intimate scenes featuring Yash and Kiara Advani in the song 'Tabaahi' drew criticism for their perceived excess.
Yash and the filmmakers
Yash says the characters Raya and Nadia are very much in love, and the scenes simply show their love, so the song needed to be shot that way.
Women's desire on screen
Critics and regulators
Regulators raised concerns that the scenes are obscene and inappropriate for public promotion.
Yash and the filmmakers
Yash says it has become a taboo for women to talk about female desire, and that director Geetu Mohandas believes women's desires and fantasies are their rights.
- Film
- Toxic, a gangster film directed by Geetu Mohandas
- Lead actor
- Yash
- Release date
- Wednesday, August 26, worldwide
- Tagline
- Fairytale for grown-ups
- Yash's previous film
- KGF: Chapter 2 (2022)
- Complaint
- Karnataka State Women's Commission wrote to CBFC over alleged obscene scenes in the teaser
- Cast
- Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth