Yash is back on the big screen after four years with Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, and the film has taken a strong start at the box office. The movie released in theatres worldwide on August 26, 2026, and early reports show packed houses across India.
The Geetu Mohandas directorial features Yash in a dual role alongside a star-studded cast including Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, and Rukmini Vasanth. Made on a reported budget of around Rs 500 crore, the film reached theatres after multiple delays.
A Period Gangster Drama Set in 1950s Goa
Toxic is a period action-gangster drama set against the backdrop of Goa during the 1950s, when the region was still under Portuguese rule. The story follows Yash’s characters—Raya and his son Ticket—through a violent revenge saga in the world of crime.
Kiara Advani plays Nadia, a circus artist who is Rumi’s mother, while Nayanthara portrays Ganga, a powerful gangster and Raya’s sister. Tara Sutaria appears as Rebecca, and Huma Qureshi plays Elizabeth. The film also features Rukmini Vasanth as Mellisa and Sudev Nair in a key role.
The movie received an ‘A’ certificate from the CBFC with no cuts and has a runtime of approximately three hours and 14 minutes. It was cleared with just two modifications but received the adult rating due to its violent and graphic content.
Advance Bookings Break Records Before Release
The advance bookings for Toxic opened five days before release on August 21. By the time bookings ended on release day morning, the film had sold over 18 lakh tickets, grossing just under Rs 60 crore for day 1.
According to Sacnilk, the film recorded a Day 1 advance booking gross of Rs 43.64 crore in India, including block seats, as of 1 pm on August 25. Overall advance sales across markets crossed the Rs 70 crore mark.
In the UK, the film secured more than 400 screens, grossing $292,541 across 362 locations and 873 shows. The Telugu market contributed significantly with reported pre-sales of Rs 15 crore.
Box Office Performance on Opening Day
On release day, Toxic opened to packed houses across India, led by the original Kannada version. By noon, Sacnilk reported that the film had already earned ₹31.76 crore net across India.
The Hindi version led the collections with over ₹14 crore, while the Kannada version crossed ₹10 crore by noon, registering a staggering 85% occupancy in morning shows.
Early estimates from ABP Live showed the film recorded ₹12.56 crore net and ₹14.82 crore gross in India across 3,141 shows. The Week reported the film minted ₹23.54 crore on the opening day as of 10 am. ET Now News reported ₹27.45 crore India net by 12 PM from 7,938 shows.
The film is reportedly outpacing Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar, which opened at ₹28 crore net last year. Toxic crossed Dhurandhar’s entire day 1 haul with just the morning shows. Trade experts are banking on the film to go past the ₹80-crore mark by the end of the day.
Mixed Reactions from Audience and Critics
Early reactions to Toxic on social media have been divided. While many praised Yash’s screen presence and the film’s technical aspects, others criticised the writing, pacing, and execution.
One viewer called the film an “absolute masterpiece,” writing:
“Geetu Mohandas has crafted an absolute masterpiece—a bold, beautifully dark, and visually stunning world. And Yash? The man’s screen presence is un-freaking-real!”
Another user praised the female characters and Kiara Advani’s performance:
“Toxic is a different world in itself. Leading ladies have solid roles, movie runs high on emotions and feelings. Kiara is fantastic.”
However, criticism was equally strong. One viewer described the first half as “straight up torture”:
“First half of #TOXIC was straight up torture. Feels like watching a 90-minute trailer editing is completely off, zero emotional connection, and scene after scene just drags on.”
Many viewers pointed out a “heavy KGF hangover,” comparing Yash’s performance to his iconic Rocky character from the KGF franchise. One reaction read:
“#TOXIC First Half: Heavy KGF Hangover! Full of violence and style, but with little substance so far. #Yash is in full-on KGF mode as Raya.”
A reviewer on Times Now rated the film 1.5/5, calling it “a technically sound film buried under chaotic writing and exhausting execution”.
Yash’s Dual Role and Performance Highlights
Despite the mixed reviews, Yash’s performance has received widespread praise. He plays two characters—Raya and his son Ticket—bringing a different energy to both roles.
The film’s interval block is considered one of its strongest moments, changing the mood of the story and leaving audiences wanting more. One of the most talked-about sequences involves the cat-and-mouse chase between the father and son, both portrayed by Yash.
The supporting cast has also been appreciated. Nayanthara as Ganga and Kiara Advani as Nadia bring emotional depth to the film, while Huma Qureshi as Elizabeth has a strong presence. Rukmini Vasanth as Melissa delivers a quiet but effective performance.
Behind the Scenes and Production Details
Toxic is directed by Geetu Mohandas and co-written by Geetu and Yash. The film features cinematography by Rajeev Ravi, editing by Ujwal Kulkarni, and music by Ravi Basrur, Vishal Mishra, and Tanishk Bagchi.
The action choreography involves an international team including J.J. Perry, Anbariv, Kecha Khamphakdee, and Amrit Singh. DNEG handled the visual effects, and Kunal Sharma is credited with sound design.
The film was co-produced by Venkat K. Narayana (KVN Productions) and Yash (Monster Mind Creations LLP). It was shot in Kannada and English, and released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu as well.
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Release Delays and Controversies
Toxic faced multiple delays before its August 26 release. It was initially scheduled to release in March 2026, clashing with Dhurandhar 2, but was postponed to June due to the war in the Middle East. The film missed its June release date too, with makers citing post-production delays.
The film also faced criticism for its violence and graphic sexual content in trailers and teasers, with some court cases filed against it. A Bengaluru court blocked the publication and broadcast of any false and defamatory news about the film ahead of its release.
Yash addressed criticism over the film’s portrayal of women at a pre-release event in Hyderabad, stating that “there is a voice for women” in the film. He also maintained that Toxic has a different tone that will surprise the audience, calling it “not a film for kids”.
Fan Celebrations Mark Yash’s Return
Yash’s return to the big screen after four years has been celebrated by fans across India. Outside Bengaluru’s Narthaki Theatre, fans celebrated with dhol beats, turning the release into a festival. The film’s release has been met with strong enthusiasm from moviegoers, with many treating it as a celebration of the star’s comeback.
Also Read: Toxic Twitter Reviews: Yash’s Big Return Gets Slammed as ‘Soulless Torture’ and ‘Complete Nightmare’
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