Cinema VinesAt a high‑profile trailer launch for the pan‑India action thriller Toxic, held in a Bengaluru mall on Saturday, Kannada star Yash stepped onto the stage to defend his co‑star Kiara Advani against a wave of online criticism. Advani, who plays a circus performer named Nadia, had already faced backlash for the intimate scenes shown in the film’s teaser and the song “Tabaahi.” Yash, who portrays both the father and son in the film, used the platform to praise Advani’s dedication and to call out the trolls.
During the event, Yash highlighted Advani’s professionalism, noting that she “surrendered to the vision” and worked hard to bring her character to life. He reminded the audience that the scenes in the trailer were only a “glimpse” of the film’s content, and that the actors involved had put in significant effort. “Whatever you believe in, you should do and people will celebrate,” he said, adding that the film’s bold storytelling was “a little ahead of times.”
Advani’s role in Toxic involves a romantic storyline with Yash’s character, which was showcased in the teaser and the “Tabaahi” track. The film, directed by Geetu Mohandas, is being shot simultaneously in English and Kannada and will be released in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. It features a star‑studded cast that includes Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi.
Produced by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on August 26. The trailer, which was screened for media personnel from across the country, hinted at a violent showdown between Yash’s dual roles while keeping the plot largely under wraps.
