Benedict Garrett has a simple message for moviegoers. The British actor, who plays Pedro in Yash‘s latest film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, wants audiences to form their own opinions instead of relying on reviews. His social media post arrives weeks after the film opened to mixed reactions from critics and viewers. The film hit theatres on August 26, 2026, and has since become one of the biggest financial losses in Indian cinema history.
What Benedict Garrett Said in His Post
Garrett shared pictures from his scenes in Toxic on social media. In the caption, he asked viewers to trust their own judgment.
“Sometimes malfunctions happen, Raya. Don’t make the mistake of judging a film by the negative reviews of others (be they genuine or paid). You have your own mind, don’t you? Use it. Remember – #TOXIC is a FAIRY TALE for GROWN-UPS. Still showing in cinemas.”
The actor also reminded fans that the film is still playing in theatres. His message came as discussions about the film’s reception continued online. Some viewers criticised the narrative and treatment, while others praised Yash‘s performance and the film’s visuals.
Garrett had shared his personal reaction to Toxic around the time of its release. He admitted he did not expect to be so affected by the film.
“I honestly didn’t expect to love Toxic. I’m in the film, but I went into the cinema knowing very little about the story—and as someone who isn’t particularly a fan of action films, I was genuinely surprised by how deeply it affected me.”
He described the film as “a dark, chaotic, disturbing reflection of the toxic world we inherit.” Garrett also praised director Geetu Mohandas for making a bold and unconventional project.
“She didn’t make a film designed to give everyone what they already know they want. She made something challenging, unconventional and open to interpretation. And Yash’s performance? Absolutely astounding.”
The Box Office Numbers Behind Toxic
Toxic opened with a massive ₹140 crore worldwide gross on its first day. The film marked Yash’s return to the big screen after four years. His last release, KGF: Chapter 2, had earned over ₹1,250 crore globally.
The momentum did not last. Collections dropped sharply to nearly ₹37 crore on day two in India nett. By day 15, the worldwide gross stood at around ₹339.32 crore. Trade analyst Ramesh Bala told India Today that the film’s loss could be anywhere between ₹300 crore and ₹350 crore.
“Unfortunately, Toxic has become one of the biggest losses in recent times. It failed to recover almost 60 per cent of its budget.”
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh blamed weak content for the poor run. He gave the film two stars, praising Yash and the action but criticising the writing, especially in the second half. The film’s production budget was reportedly around ₹450 crore, with total investment crossing ₹500 crore.
Why the Film Faced Criticism
Critics pointed to several issues. The 3-hour-12-minute runtime was a common complaint. The non-linear narrative structure, pacing, and dark themes divided viewers. Some critics called the film “soulless” and “boring.” Others felt the women characters were underwritten and reduced to objects of male desire.
The film also faced backlash over its intimate scenes. A section of social media users criticised Kiara Advani for her romantic scenes with Yash while praising him for the same performance. Garrett called out this double standard in July 2026.
“Yash, he’s also married, he also has children. So why is only the woman getting the abuse, while the man apparently gets the applause?”
Garrett also defended the film’s adult themes in an interview with CNN-News18.
“The film is called Toxic. What do people think a film with that title is attempting to explore? Is it not entirely possible that the film is deliberately confronting themes such as toxic masculinity, violence, sexuality, and the objectification of women, rather than celebrating them?”
The Ladies and Ladies teaser, released in July 2026, had also sparked debate over its portrayal of women. Garrett responded by saying he would choose “sex over violence any day.” He questioned why audiences accept extreme violence more easily than consensual adult content.
Cast and Crew of Toxic
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups features an ensemble cast. Yash plays Raya, a gangster navigating the criminal underworld of post-independence Goa. Kiara Advani plays Nadia, a circus artist and Raya’s love interest. Nayanthara plays Ganga, Raya’s sister. Huma Qureshi plays Elizabeth, the main antagonist. Tara Sutaria plays Rebecca, and Rukmini Vasanth plays Melissa.
Other cast members include Akshay Oberoi as Tony and Benedict Garrett as Pedro. The film is directed by Geetu Mohandas, who also co-wrote the script with Yash. Ravi Basrur composed the music. The film is produced by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations.
The film was shot in Kannada and English. It was released in dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. The English version had a shorter runtime of 2 hours 56 minutes and was released in India on September 4, 2026. It was removed from theatres after a week due to poor response.
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When and Where to Watch Toxic
Toxic is still showing in select cinemas. For viewers waiting to watch at home, no official streaming date has been announced yet. Reports suggest the film will premiere on ZEE5 on September 25, 2026, in multiple languages including Telugu. Neither the makers nor the streaming platform have officially confirmed this date.
The film had an eight-week theatrical window for the Hindi version. This could push its digital debut to late September or October 2026. OTT platforms are reportedly offering far less than expected for the digital rights. The film’s poor box office performance has affected its streaming prospects.
Also Read: Toxic Box Office Verdict: Is Yash’s ₹500 Crore Film a Bigger Flop Than Adipurush? Full Breakdown
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