New delhi: Yash’s return to the big screen after KGF comes with Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups, a gangster drama directed by Geetu Mohandas. The film attempts to blend commercial cinema with an eccentric, Fight Club-style experimental approach, but ultimately struggles to balance both.
Toxic revolves around Raya, played by Yash, who remains the central force of the narrative. Ganga (Nayanthara) is his elder sister, partner in crime and protector, while Rebecca (Tara Sutaria) is his betrothed. Nadia (Kiara Advani) brings chaos and love, Elizabeth (Huma Qureshi) seeks vengeance, and Rukmini Vasanth plays Raya’s ‘permanent’.
The plot is too complicated to convey through a synopsis. The film’s fast-paced edits often bury the depth of its characters, while slower emotional portions affect its pace and engagement. The result is a film caught between Yash’s commercial sensibilities and Mohandas’ experimental direction.
Yash, however, stands out. He deserves credit for taking the risk after the success of KGF Chapter 2. Beyond the swagger and mass appeal, he delivers a serious acting performance. A second-half confrontation between Raya and Ticket, both played by Yash, is a standout.
The action sequences are among Toxic’s biggest strengths. The ambush on Raya at Nadia’s circus showcases sharp and inventive choreography, while Yash’s weapons training gets a memorable sequence.
The supporting cast also performs well. Nayanthara is particularly effective as Ganga, although her character feels underutilised. Kiara Advani handles her character’s changing shades well, while Rukmini Vasanth shares interesting chemistry with Yash. Huma Qureshi and Tara Sutaria deliver decent performances.
Visually, the film is stunning, with Rajeev Ravi’s cinematography and the production and art departments creating meticulously designed frames. However, the visual beauty does not always add value to the story.
The editing is another major weakness, with random and abrupt cuts affecting the viewing experience. Ultimately, Toxic struggles with clarity, attempting to be a gangster drama, emotional drama and psychological thriller without fully committing to any.
The film’s promise of a gangster drama with a female perspective also remains largely unfulfilled, as Raya continues to dominate the narrative while the female characters receive limited space and agency.
