Indian cinema heavyweight Yash marked his 39th birthday with the release of a first-look video from his upcoming feature “Toxic – A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups,” his first project since the blockbuster “K.G.F” franchise.
The footage presents Yash in a white suit and fedora, cigar in hand, as he moves through an upscale nightclub setting.
Yash, the Kannada-language film industry actor who rose to pan-Indian stardom with the “K.G.F” franchise, has become one of the most sought-after stars in Indian cinema. Known for his portrayal of Rocky Bhai in “K.G.F: Chapter 1” (2018) and “K.G.F: Chapter 2” (2022) Yash’s transformation into a larger-than-life action hero propelled the films to unprecedented box-office success, breaking language barriers. The second instalment in the franchise is the fifth highest Indian grosser of all time. While the “K.G.F” series cemented his star power, Yash’s early career in Kannada-language films showcased his versatility, with notable performances in projects such as “Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari” (2014) and “Googly” (2013).
“Toxic” is directed by Geetu Mohandas, a filmmaker who first gained international recognition with her debut feature “Liar’s Dice,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was India’s official entry for the Oscars in 2015. The film, an exploration of migration and displacement, won two Indian National Film Awards. Mohandas followed this success with “Moothon” (‘The Elder One’), a Malayalam and Hindi-language bilingual that premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2019 and earned critical acclaim. Before her transition to directing, Mohandas was a celebrated actor in Malayalam-language cinema.
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“‘Toxic’ is a story that defies convention and is sure to provoke the chaos within us,” said Mohandas. “Today, as we unveil the first peek of our film we also celebrate Yash – a man the nation reveres for his vision and swagger.”
“Co-writing this world with Yash has been a thrilling collaboration, transcending borders, languages, and cultural confines. When our two worlds of thought collided, the result is neither compromise nor chaos —it’s the transformation that happens when artistic vision meets the precision of commercial storytelling. We hope to bring an experience woven to ignite something primal in all of us – a film not just to be watched, but to be felt,” Mohandas added.
The film is being produced as a joint venture between KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, with Venkat K. Narayana and Yash serving as producers.
Watch the “Toxic” first-look video here: