The trailer of the much-awaited Kannada film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, featuring “Rocking Star” Yash, has sparked a storm of controversy, both legal and social, shortly after its high-profile release. The video, lasting 171 seconds, which was unveiled on January 8 to mark the actor’s 40th birthday, is being criticized by political groups and social activists as it supposedly shows “gross obscenities” and “sexual acts” in the frame.
Things took a turn on January 12, 2026, when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Women’s Wing lodged a complaint with the Karnataka State Commission for Women (KSWC), with the party’s support. Usha Mohan, AAP state secretary, claimed that the teaser showcases visuals that are vulgar and disrespectful to women and Kannada culture.
KSWC, in turn, wrote an official letter to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on January 13, urging them to take “appropriate action” and send an action-taken report. At the same time, social activist Dinesh Kallahalli filed a separate petition with the CBFC, calling the content “morally offensive” and arguing that it was legally impermissible for public viewing without age restrictions.
The film’s director, Geetu Mohandas, shared a note following the backlash on her social media handle, “Chilling while people figure out female pleasure, consent, women playing systems, etc etc.”
The film Toxic is all set to hit the theatres on 19th March, 2026. It shall have a box office clash with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2, that is slated to release on the same date.
