There was enough reason for the audience to discuss over the Toxic trailer launch. The star-studded gathering, the scale of the event, the massive response to the trailer. But by the time the lights dimmed in the Bengaluru auditorium, social media was already alive with comparisons of the picturisation, action sequences and music. For Yash, the star attraction of the event, did take the opportunity to look beyond the trailer and talk about responsibility, and that stood out as the central theme of his address.
Even as he stood up to deliver his speech, Yash began with his gratitude to the people who gave him an opportunity to be here. That set the tone for what followed as he spoke about his responsibility as one of the biggest superstars of Indian cinema. The message kept coming back as he narrated episodes from the making of the film. What began as a speech slowly got transformed into a fireside chat on why Toxic is the project he wanted to do after KGF. Actor, who has co-written the film along with director Geetu Mohandas, and also produced the film under Monster Mind Creations along with Venkat K Narayana's KVN Productions, Yash turns out the house for Toxic trailer launch, speaks about gratitude, responsibility and belief
"I think, I should first speak in Kannada," said Yash while addressing the gathering. The first reason was personal. He wanted to deliver his thanks first to his native Karnataka for giving him the platform.
"Everything that Karnataka gave me and every achievement that I made here has always been a responsibility," he said. As his career graph rose, so did his sense of responsibility. Every success, every applause, every compliment fuelled his ambition to achieve bigger things. Toxic is his way of repaying the love and trust of the people.
"Everything I achieved and received from strength has been taken to make this movie. This is the next level. I need your blessings and trust."
This is one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by a Kannada superstar, and indeed a film that has Karnataka's pride For Yash, Toxic is also a statement film for the younger generation who are breaking barriers and shattering glass ceilings. But even as he spoke about his pride and Karnataka's contribution to Toxic, he was quick to dispel notions of it being a regional film.
"It's not a Kannada film, Tamil film or a Telugu film. It is an Indian film," he asserted, adding that it is a joint effort.
He gestured at the members of the cast and crew present on the occasion. People from different industries had come together on this project. He felt this was the best way to take Indian cinema to global markets. It would also give opportunities to young talent.
"This is how we can make Indian cinema reach international shores. We need to put our egos aside and come together.
So many people from different areas have come together for this film. We all put our egos aside to make it a success.
At various points during his speech, he drew comparisons with his previous films as he revealed about making Toxic in Kannada and English versions, and simulataneously releasing in other langauges.
The idea was anything but simple and that prompted many questions. What was the logic behind doing so? Why was Yash, a superstar from Padavarahalli, Mysuru, willing to take on such a challenge? Wasn't it impractical to shoot two versions at the same time?
Yash said he understood the hesitation but he and his team never let self-doubt seep in. "When you want to do something, nothing should stop you. I think people fall because they listen to negativity. Never do that. I have always wanted to achieve something different. People say many things. If somebody tells me something is not possible, I think it lacks imagination."
It was a sentiment that resonated with many. Over the years, Yash has been hailed for taking up audacious projects that others would not dare attempt. Toxic, he said, was also part of that series. It was not a conventional star-driven blockbuster. It was a calculated risk.
"I think this is not a perfectly packaged film. It is something different that we are trying to do. People expect us to do something similar and commercial to what we did after KGF. But they need to be patient. They need to give us space.
Yash said if Toxic worked, it would not be because of him but because of all the people who contributed to it.
"If I have done well so far, it is because of the people. It is not the work of one individual," he started.
Throughout his speech, he was careful to mention the people who made Toxic happen. He thanked director Geetu Mohandas, producer Venkat K Narayana, his co-stars Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, Akshay Oberoi, Sudev Nair, Kiara Advani, Rukmini Vasanth and others.
"I am just a labourer of Indian cinema," concluded Yash. That fetched him the loudest applause of the night.
