Actor Kiara Advani has opened up about the themes explored in Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, saying the upcoming film presents a very different perspective on relationships and the dynamics between men and women. Her comments come months after the film sparked online debate following the release of its “Introducing Raya” teaser.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas and headlined by Yash, Toxic became one of the most-discussed Indian films in recent months after a teaser sequence drew criticism from some sections of social media. The teaser featured an intimate scene set inside a car in a cemetery while gunfire and explosions unfolded outside, leading to accusations of misogyny and sexism from a section of viewers.
The criticism intensified because Geetu Mohandas is known not only as an award-winning filmmaker but also as a founding member of the Women in Cinema Collective, an organisation that advocates for gender equality and representation in the Malayalam film industry.
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Now, speaking to Bombay Times, Kiara Advani addressed the film’s unconventional emotional space and shared how the script initially challenged her own understanding of relationships.
“With Toxic, I think it completely changes the way you see the man-woman dynamic. And in fact, even for me, when Geetu (Mohandas) narrated the script to me, it took a while for me to understand that okay, this is also normal. It may be grey, it may be not in your conventional space, but there’s a certain liberation in love,” Kiara said.
The actor also spoke about her character Nadia and revealed that she was deeply intrigued by the emotional complexity of the role. “When Nadia was narrated to me, I was like ‘wow’, I wish I was capable of being so detached and liberated in my own thoughts,” she added. Kiara further described Toxic as a “complete drama,” hinting at the emotional and layered storytelling that audiences can expect from the film.
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Apart from the controversy surrounding the teaser, Toxic has also witnessed multiple release delays. The film was initially scheduled to release in April 2025 before being postponed to March 19, 2026. However, that plan was disrupted due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region, which significantly impacted theatrical business in the Middle East market.
The film was later shifted to June 4, 2026, but the date was eventually dropped as well. Yash has since stated that the makers are focusing on a larger global release strategy and do not wish to approach international distributors until the final version of the film is fully complete.
Also Read: Why Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani are the smart brand bet of this decade
More Pages: Toxic Box Office Collection
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