Critics have mostly been harsh on Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, Yash’s first release since KGF: Chapter 2. Reviewers praise Yash’s screen presence, Kiara Advani and the visuals, but most fault the screenplay, choppy editing and heavy violence. It has a 24% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 21 reviews.
What is Toxic about?
Toxic is a gangster drama set in Goa during the years of Portuguese rule. It follows a man’s rise in the criminal underworld over several decades, and Yash plays a dual role. The film calls itself a fairy tale for adults, and leans on style, swagger and large action set pieces.
The film is long. Wikipedia lists the main version at 194 minutes, while the English version released in India on 4 September 2026 runs 176 minutes.
Also readRawbare Sunglasses Review: Hype or Hit? Price, Lenses and Verdict
Cast and crew
- Director: Geetu Mohandas
- Writers: Geetu Mohandas and Yash
- Cast: Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, Akshay Oberoi, Darrell D’Silva and Sudev Nair
- Producers: Venkat K. Narayana (KVN Productions) and Yash (Monster Mind Creations)
- Cinematography: Rajeev Ravi
- Background score: Ravi Basrur
Release date and where to watch
Toxic released in theatres worldwide on 26 August 2026. It was shot in Kannada and English, and also released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. According to ThePrint, citing Sacnilk, it opened with Rs 57 crore gross in India.
On OTT, ZEE5 has reportedly acquired the digital rights, but a streaming date had not been officially confirmed at the time of writing.
Aggregate scores
On Rotten Tomatoes, Toxic holds a 24% score from 21 reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 out of 10. Indian critics’ star ratings mostly sit between 1 and 3 out of 5, as compiled on Wikipedia.
| Outlet | Critic | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NDTV | Latha Srinivasan | 3/5 |
| The Times of India | Sridevi S. | 3/5 |
| Firstpost | Zinia Bandyopadhyay | 2.5/5 |
| Rediff | Sukanya Verma | 2/5 |
| India Today | Sanjay Ponnappa | 2/5 |
| The Indian Express | Shubhra Gupta | 1.5/5 |
| Deccan Herald | Pranati A S | 1.5/5 |
| Hindustan Times | Neeshita Nyayapati | 1/5 |
Box office so far
Toxic had a big opening, but reviews and word of mouth have weighed on it since. ThePrint reported the budget at around Rs 500 crore, though other reports vary widely. Figures compiled on Wikipedia put the worldwide gross at about Rs 338 crore, which makes it one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2026 so far, but well short of its cost.
What critics liked
Almost every review agrees that Yash holds the screen. Sruthi Ganapathy Raman of The Hollywood Reporter India praised his charisma, especially in the moments when his character is vulnerable. She also called Kiara Advani’s Nadia one of the more interesting women in the film.
The romance between Yash and Kiara is the part most critics remember. Variety India’s review called that stretch the film’s strongest, with real emotional stakes, and said Huma Qureshi and Tara Sutaria bring believable pain to their roles. The same review described the film as a feast for the eyes.
The final act also gets credit. THR India felt the climax hints at the stronger film Toxic could have been, and early audience reactions reported by Gulf News also picked out the circus action sequence.
What critics did not like
The biggest complaint is the writing. THR India pointed to choppy, rushed editing that leaves no room for characters to grow, and generic gangster tropes. Variety India said the film loses its grip after the interval and piles on violence instead of story.
Pranati A S of Deccan Herald gave it 1.5 out of 5, calling it visually striking but emotionally thin. She also criticised the loud background score and forced machismo. Several reviews, including THR India’s, raised concerns about how the women in the film are written.
Comparisons to KGF come up often. Some critics and viewers felt Yash’s character and mass moments repeat Rocky Bhai rather than offer something new.
How audiences reacted
First-day audience reactions on social media were lukewarm, according to Onmanorama and Business Today. Viewers praised Yash but complained about the screenplay, rushed editing and slow pace. ThePrint noted that much of the criticism was aimed at the second half.
A smaller group of viewers defended the film’s ambition and visual style, and Gulf News noted that the action and the climax were among the most liked parts in early reactions.
Who should watch Toxic?
Going by the reviews, Toxic is mainly for Yash fans who enjoy big-screen style, stylised action and his larger-than-life presence. Viewers who liked the KGF films’ treatment may find familiar pleasures here.
If you want a tight story or strong character writing, most critics suggest lowering your expectations, especially for the second half. The long runtime is another factor to weigh. For more film coverage, see our Reviews and Movies sections.
Frequently asked questions
Is Toxic a hit or flop with critics?
Most critics were negative. Toxic has a 24% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and leading Indian outlets rated it between 1 and 3 stars out of 5.
Who directed Toxic?
Toxic is directed by Geetu Mohandas, who co-wrote it with Yash. It is produced by KVN Productions and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations.
When will Toxic release on OTT?
ZEE5 has reportedly bought the digital rights, but an official streaming date had not been announced at the time of writing.
What did critics praise in Toxic?
Critics praised Yash’s screen presence, Kiara Advani’s role, Rajeev Ravi’s visuals, the action sequences and the final act.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter India, Variety India, Deccan Herald, Wikipedia.
