First Review of ‘Toxic’ Sparks Controversy: Yash Film Criticized as Unwatchable, Fans Claim Bollywood Bias

Controversy Surrounds Upcoming Kannada Blockbuster ‘Toxic’ Ahead of Release

Anticipation is building for the March 19 release of “Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-Ups,” marking Kannada superstar Yash’s highly awaited return to cinema following his blockbuster success in “KGF: Chapter 2” (2022). The film has generated significant buzz in recent weeks, with early footage introducing Yash as Raya, a ruthless gangster, capturing audience attention across social media platforms.

The first teaser for the film went viral almost immediately upon release, notably for its sexually explicit content. A subsequent promotional clip, released ahead of the full trailer, has also garnered positive reactions from fans and industry watchers alike, further fueling excitement for the project.

However, controversy has emerged just weeks before the film’s premiere. Controversial social media personality and self-proclaimed film critic Kamaal R Khan, widely known as KRK, shared what he claimed was the first review of the film on his social media accounts.

“One of my friend watched film #toxic in editing room and according to him, it’s the worst film ever made in India. Because it’s ₹500CR+ budget Film and difficult to watch even for 30 minutes. Actor @TheNameIsYash has done everything of this film,” KRK posted, setting off a firestorm of responses.

The extraordinary budget claim—exceeding 500 crore rupees (approximately $60 million USD)—would place “Toxic” among the most expensive Indian films ever produced, raising eyebrows in industry circles. Such a substantial investment represents a significant gamble for the Kannada film industry, which has been enjoying increased national prominence since the breakout success of the “KGF” franchise.

The supposed negative review has been met with immediate skepticism from Yash’s fanbase and film enthusiasts. Many social media users have accused KRK of deliberately attempting to sabotage the film’s prospects with what they characterize as “false propaganda.” Several commenters pointed out that KRK himself admitted to not having watched the film, instead relying on secondhand information from an unnamed source.

Some fans have gone further, suggesting that the negative commentary is coordinated by supporters of “Dhurandhar,” presumably referring to another upcoming major release that will compete with “Toxic” at the box office. “Only Toxic winning against Dhurandhar 2 will shut down Bullywood’s bad mouths permanently,” wrote one passionate defender of the film.

Others turned KRK’s criticism into an endorsement, with one commenter noting sarcastically, “If he says it’s the worst then it means the best of course! Don’t we know that already.”

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Geetu Mohandas, “Toxic” features an impressive ensemble cast alongside Yash, including prominent actresses Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth. This star-studded lineup represents a significant assembly of talent from across different regional Indian film industries.

The film’s provocative marketing campaign and the early controversy surrounding its content suggest that “Toxic” is positioning itself as an edgy, adult-oriented departure from conventional Indian commercial cinema. The subtitle—”A Fairy Tale For Grown-Ups”—further reinforces this positioning.

Industry analysts remain optimistic about the film’s commercial prospects, particularly given Yash’s proven track record with “KGF: Chapter 2,” which grossed over ₹1200 crore worldwide and established him as a pan-Indian star with international appeal.

As the release date approaches, the film’s promotional campaign is expected to intensify, likely addressing or leveraging the controversy to build further anticipation for what promises to be one of the most talked-about Indian film releases of 2024.