- Nayanthara initially declined Toxic due to its large ensemble cast but accepted after hearing the script
- Nayanthara praised Yash for his dedication and hard work as an actor and producer
- Toxic is directed by Geetu Mohandas and features a female-led cast including Nayanthara and Kiara Advani
Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth — Yash's Toxic has a powerful lineup of female actors. This was precisely why Nayanthara had initially said 'no' to Toxic.
Nayanthara, known as the "lady superstar" of the South, plays a gangster called Ganga in the film. Her character is linked to Yash's Raya in the narrative. During the trailer launch earlier this month, Nayanthara opened up about what made her say 'yes' to the film.
She praised Yash for his dedication as an actor and as a producer.
'No' for Ensemble Cast, 'Yes' for the Story
When director Geetu Mohandas first approached Nayanthara for Toxic, she said no. She didn't want to be part of a film with a big ensemble cast.
The director kept her vision intact and approached the actor with more conviction.
Geetu asked many questions before finally agreeing to meet and tell the script, Nayanthara said.
The Jawan actor, after hearing the story, completely changed her mind. After hearing the script, Nayanthara wondered whoGeetu Mohandas was and why the audience hadn't seen this side of her.
Completely bowled over by the director's vision, Nayanthara said the audience would be surprised to discover Geetu Mohandas with this film.
'Never Seen an Actor Work So Hard'
At the trailer launch, Nayanthara heaped praise on Yash.
"I have never seen an actor work so hard as Yash," she said, speaking about the sacrifices he had made, including spending less time with his family and children as he dedicated himself to the film.
Nayanthara said, "Yash is very particular about the work of others around him as well. He is always motivating the cast and crew to give their best, and he takes great care of director Geetu Mohandas."
The actor praised Yash as an actor and producer, but also as a husband and family man.
Action and Reaction
After the first teaser released in June, a large section of the internet attacked the director for the blatant objectification of women in the film.
Addressing the trolls, director Geetu Mohandas shared a cryptic note on her Instagram Stories: "Chilling while people figure out female pleasure, consent, women playing systems, etc., etc."
Praising the bold portrayal of sexual fantasy, director Ram Gopal Varma wrote on X: "After seeing the @TheNameIsYash starring trailer of #Toxic I have no doubt that @GeethuMohandas is the ultimate symbol of Women Empowerment. No male director is man enough in comparison to this woman. I still can't believe she shot this."
About Toxic
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations. Written and shot in Kannada and English, it will have dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film boasts a stellar cast including Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.
It is reportedly a gripping tale of crime and deception set in 1980s Goa, where a powerful drug cartel manipulates lives behind the state's picture-perfect beaches.
