After the national and international acclaim of Moothon and Liar’s Dice, Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups is Geetu Mohandas’ next much-awaited directorial
Toxic Movie Scheduled Worldwide theatrical release on 19 March 2026
Indian cinema is heading towards a defining big-scale moment, and Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups stands firmly at its centre. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Geetu Mohandas and headlined by Rocking Star Yash, the film has climbed to the top of IMDb’s list of the most anticipated Indian films, backed by real-time popularity at a strong 28 percent.
Much of this excitement can be traced to the striking teaser released on Yash’s birthday. Revealing Yash as the cold, controlled, and dangerous Raya, the glimpse signalled early on that Toxic has little interest in familiar territory. What initially appeared as a playful, provocative title soon revealed a darker intent. The teaser hinted at a film steeped in menace and style, shaped by a visual language that feels confident, contemporary, and global in outlook.
For audiences in Kerala, Toxic carries particular significance. It is the much-awaited next directorial of Geetu Mohandas, one of Malayalam cinema’s most distinctive voices, following the nationally and internationally acclaimed films Liar’s Dice and Moothon. Co-written by Geetu herself, the film reflects her long-standing preoccupation with complex characters, moral tension, and emotional depth, even as she works on a canvas far larger than before.
The excitement surrounding Toxic in Kerala is amplified by Rocking Star Yash’s unprecedented commercial pull in the state. His previous blockbuster, KGF: Chapter 1 and 2, created history at the Kerala box office by shattering records. This massive “mass” appeal, combined with Geetu Mohandas’s directorial sensibilities, makes Toxic one of the most significant and anticipated releases of the year.
A crucial force behind the film’s visual identity is National Award-winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, who reunites with Geetu Mohandas for Toxic. With a body of work that includes landmark Malayalam films such as Annayum Rasoolum, Kammatipaadam, and Moothon, Rajeev Ravi brings his grounded, textured realism to the film, anchoring its scale with cinematic authenticity.
Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas, and directed by Geetu herself, Toxic has been shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and several other languages.
The film also brings together an expansive ensemble cast drawn from across industries, including Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria, signalling a narrative space that prioritises characters as much as spectacle.
Supporting this vision is a strong technical team. Music is composed by Ravi Basrur, with editing by Ujwal Kulkarni and production design by TP Abid. The action sequences are mounted on a large scale, choreographed by Hollywood action director JJ Perry, best known for the John Wick franchise, alongside National Award-winning action directors Anbariv and Kecha Khamphakdee, bringing together Indian and international action sensibilities.
Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under the banners of KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 19 March 2026, coinciding with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa.
