Mumbai, August 26: Yash returns to the big screen after four years with Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups, a lavish gangster drama directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film arrives after the massive success of KGF: Chapter 2, which established Yash as a pan-Indian star.
Set largely in 1940s Goa, Toxic follows Raya, played by Yash, and his elder sister Ganga, played by Nayanthara, as they navigate a dangerous criminal network. The siblings become involved in the opium trade under the powerful gangster Salvador, played by Darrell D’Silva.
Raya is not a conventional gangster. He is shaped by violence, betrayal and a troubled past. His relationships with women also reveal his deeply flawed personality and unapologetic attitude towards life.
Yash and Women Lead a Strong Cast
Yash is undoubtedly the biggest strength of Toxic. His screen presence, swagger and ability to command attention make Raya a compelling character despite his moral flaws.
The film also gives its female characters considerable agency. Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi and Rukmini Vasanth all make an impact in their respective roles.
Nayanthara’s Ganga shares a particularly important relationship with Raya. Their bond adds an emotional layer to the otherwise violent gangster world.
Kiara Advani plays Nadia, while Tara Sutaria appears as Rebecca and Rukmini Vasanth plays Mellisa. Huma Qureshi’s Elizabeth stands apart as a character who openly challenges Raya.
However, the film’s portrayal of Raya’s relationships is often dominated by sexuality and toxic masculinity. His provocative dialogues and aggressive behaviour are central to the character, but some moments may feel excessive.
The biggest weakness of Toxic is its screenplay. While the characters are interesting, the story itself follows familiar gangster-drama territory involving family, power, revenge, betrayal and redemption.
The screenplay does not always connect these elements smoothly. Some portions, including Nadia’s storyline, hold attention, while several action sequences feel unnecessarily stretched.
The film runs for around 194 minutes, and tighter editing could have improved its pace. Some transitions also feel abrupt, making the narrative less cohesive.
Geetu Mohandas, however, deserves credit for attempting something visually ambitious. Toxic is presented as a stylised gangster world filled with elaborate sets, lavish costumes and striking imagery.
The film carries influences from works such as Moulin Rouge, Cirque du Soleil, Joker and The Revenant. These influences add to its visual identity, although they occasionally make the film feel more focused on spectacle than storytelling.
The action sequences are designed to elevate Yash at every opportunity. Powerful background music and stylised visuals turn many scenes into star-driven moments.
Technically, the film is impressive. Ravi Basrur’s music and background score add energy to the action, while Rajeev Ravi’s cinematography gives the film a distinctive visual texture.
Ujwal Kulkarni’s editing could have been tighter, particularly in the second half. Several sequences could have been shortened without affecting the core narrative.
Yash also reportedly plays dual roles in the film and handles both characters with confidence. His performance remains one of the film’s strongest elements.
Overall, Toxic is an ambitious and visually extravagant gangster drama. It has shades of KGF in its larger-than-life presentation, but it does not quite achieve the impact of a Hollywood-style gangster epic.
The film works best as a cinematic spectacle powered by Yash’s screen presence and a strong ensemble cast. However, its uneven screenplay, lengthy runtime and excessive focus on style prevent it from becoming a truly compelling gangster saga.
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