Nayanthara was not immediately convinced about joining Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The film, bringing together a notable female cast comprising Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth, prompted the actor to initially turn down the project. It was filmmaker Geetu Mohandas and the journey she envisioned for the character that eventually changed her mind.
Nayanthara plays Ganga, a gangster whose story is closely intertwined with Yash’s character Raya. Speaking at the film’s trailer launch, the actor revealed that her decision to come on board was influenced by the people behind the film, particularly Yash and Geetu.
While praising Yash’s commitment to the project, Nayanthara said she had rarely seen an actor put in the kind of effort he had for a film. She pointed out that his dedication extended beyond his own performance, with the actor-producer also closely involved in ensuring that the entire cast and crew delivered their best. “I have never seen an actor work so hard as Yash,” Nayanthara said, adding that his commitment had come at the cost of spending time with his family and children.
She also highlighted Yash’s role as a producer, saying he constantly motivated those around him and was particular about the quality of their work. According to Nayanthara, he also extended that support to director Geetu Mohandas, whom he took great care of during the making of the film. The actor's comments offer a glimpse into why she eventually agreed to play Ganga despite her initial hesitation.
Toxic has also attracted considerable attention for its provocative portrayal of sexuality and women. Following the release of its first teaser in June, the film faced criticism online, with sections of social media accusing it of objectifying its female characters. Geetu Mohandas appeared to respond to the discourse through an Instagram Story, writing, “Chilling while people figure out female pleasure, consent, women playing systems, etc., etc.”
The film's approach also received support from filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma. Reacting to the trailer, he praised Geetu's handling of the material and called her “the ultimate symbol of women's empowerment", while adding that he was surprised by what she had shot.
Set against the backdrop of 1980s Goa, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups revolves around crime, deception and a drug cartel operating behind the tourist destination’s picturesque facade. Directed by Geetu Mohandas and backed by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, the film is produced by Venkat K Narayana and Yash. The film was shot in Kannada and English and is set to release in dubbed versions across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.
