Anurag Kashyap has come forward to defend the teaser of Yash's upcoming film Toxic, which sparked controversy due to its graphic sexual content. Speaking at the Bengaluru International Film Festival, Kashyap described the backlash as a reflection of "cultural hypocrisy," highlighting the double standards in society where male actors often go shirtless without scrutiny, but women celebrating their sexuality are met with resistance.
Kashyap praised Toxic as "an extremely courageous attempt," emphasizing that the outrage against the teaser exposes societal hypocrisy. The film's teaser features Yash's character in a macho, violent avatar, alongside a graphic sex scene with actress Beatriz Taufenbach, which many criticized as unnecessary. Taufenbach reportedly deleted her social media accounts following the backlash.
Toxic, directed by Geetu Mohandas, is a Kannada-English film written by Yash and Mohandas. The ensemble cast includes Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth.
Toxic is scheduled for release on March 19, 2026, Toxic clashes with Dhurandhar: The Revenge. The controversy surrounding the teaser has sparked debates on societal norms and the portrayal of women in cinema.