KVN Productions, the production banner behind director Geetu Mohandas' Toxic, starring Yash in the lead role, dropped a teaser featuring the actor's character earlier today, on his birthday. Yash plays a character named Raya in the film. Last year, the actor marked the day with a brief sneak peek from Toxic. This year, the birthday reveal goes further, unveiling his character with a bang. The frame opens inside a cemetery that quickly descends into chaos. Gunfire shatters the silence, dust rises, and through the swirling smoke comes Raya, calm, unhurried, and completely in control. Raya's introduction in the teaser carries no celebratory softness.
The opening line sets a harsh tone: “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit… if you want the son to have a peaceful burial, do you think he will go? I don’t think anybody is that insane.” The mood is established immediately. What follows is bold, forceful filmmaking in classic Hollywood fashion, unflinching and unapologetic.
When Raya finally speaks, the words hit like a strike: “Daddy’s home.” It is not a catchphrase or a playful line. It is a warning. Every frame bends around him. He does not rush the moment or demand attention. He owns it. A submachine gun rests naturally in his hands, and his pace never falters. The phrase hangs in the air, sharp and unyielding, establishing Raya as a presence that cannot be ignored.
The teaser avoids simple emotional cues. There is no attempt to make him warm or relatable. He remains mysterious, slightly menacing, and difficult to read, a presence meant to draw attention rather than earn applause.
Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups carries a shadow-heavy visual world that feels global in craftsmanship but natural in rhythm. The action is clearly staged, the frames are composed thoughtfully, and tension is built through silence, movement, and sudden bursts of violence. It does not follow familiar action formats, and Raya does not conform to traditional hero stereotypes.
Before stepping into this space himself, Yash introduced the film through its female leads: Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria, shaping the idea of a world driven by many forces rather than a single center. Raya now appears as the figure toward whom everything gravitates.
Yash has often chosen paths that push boundaries. With Toxic, he deepens that approach, serving not only as the lead actor but also as co-writer and co-producer. He commits to a darker tone and a more ambitious scale.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas and written by Mohandas and Yash, the film has been shot in Kannada and English, with plans for dubbed versions in several languages. The crew includes cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, composer Ravi Basrur, editor Ujwal Kulkarni, and production designer TP Abid, with action designed by JJ Perry along with Anbariv and Kecha Khamphakdee. Produced by Venkat K Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, respectively, Toxic is scheduled for a worldwide release on March 19, 2026, aligning with the long festive and holiday weekend.