KVN Productions, Monster Mind Creations and Lionsgate’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-Ups (dubbed from the Kannada film of the same name; A) is an action film. Raya (Yash) wants to rule the underworld in Goa. Alcoholism, drugs, womanising, murders and all things illegal are a way of life for him. He has been brought up by his sister, Ganga (Nayanthara), whom he adores and literally worships. Raya is due to marry Rebecca (Tara Sutaria), but his heart beats for Nadia (Kiara Advani) who performs in the circus. Smitten by Nadia, he has an illegitimate child from her. But Raya disowns both, Nadia and their child. Much later, Raya marries Mellisa (Rukmini Vasanth). They have a child, Adam (Mikail Rao Khan). However, the guilt of Nadia’s illegitimate child does not leave Raya all his life. In fact, it gets more pronounced after the birth of Adam. What happens thereafter? What happens to Ganga? What happens to Nadia? What happens to Rebecca? Do Raya, Mellisa and Adam live happily ever after together? What happens to Raya and Nadia’s illegitimate child?
Yash and Geetu Mohandas have written a story and screenplay, which have many layers. The drama moves at a fast pace but it is often confusing. Having said that, it must be clarified that the confusion is not of the kind that will come in the way of the viewers’ enjoyment of the drama. For, despite the confusing screenplay, the entertainment quotient remains intact. The attitude of Raya, his way of mesmerising girls and wooing them, and his interactions with pretty girls sweeps the audience off their feet. Although the drama is long-drawn and travels during different time periods, the viewers’ interest level doesn’t take a hit. Yes, there is too much of consumption of alcohol by Raya, which can put the family audience off at times. But overall, the youngsters (both, guys and girls) will flip for the style and attitude of Raya’s character. Another major plus point are the adult scenes with sexual undertones. These scenes will be loved by the young guys and girls. The pre-climax and climax, in which Raya’s illegitimate child appears, may not be understood by everyone, but even then, it makes for interesting viewing. And for those who understand the climax, it will give the drama a new philosophical twist. Dialogues, penned by Aayat, are extraordinary. There are at least eight or ten dialogues which gladden the heart and make it dance with joy. Some of these dialogues are obscene and adult ones but they truly tickle the viewers and bring a smile to the face.
Yash delivers a mind-boggling performance in a double role. As both, Raya and Ticket, he is so extraordinary that a great deal of credit would go to him for making the drama extremely entertaining. His stylised acting and his swag are to die for. Whether in action scenes or dramatic, melodramatic, emotional and romantic, Yash is splendid. He deserves almost full marks for carrying the film on his shoulders. Kiara Advani looks gorgeous and shines in the role of Nadia. Her mature performance is testimony to the fact that she plays the character with complete conviction. Huma Qureshi makes a wonderful mark as Elizabeth. Nayanthara is terrific as Ganga. Rukmini Vasanth plays Mellisa with a lot of understanding. Tara Sutaria looks pretty and acts well as Rebecca. Akshay Oberoi makes his presence felt as Tony. Sudev Nair is effective as Karmadi. Kabir Pahwa is cute as kid Ticket. Mikail Rao Khan is natural to the core in the role of Adam. Yatharth Kutagulla has his moments as young Ticket. Darrell D’Silva performs ably as Salvador. Sanjeeda Shaikh (in a special appearance), Balaji Manohar (as Bheera), Sano Dinesh (as Sanoop), Kyle Paul (as Fernandes), Kuni Tomita (as Nicholas), Krishiv Jindal (as kid Raya), Aarohi Patel (as young Ganga), Diyara Valecha (as kid Ganga), Habib Al Airdoos (as Robert), Lars Kledjson (as Victor), Benedict Garrett (as Pedro), Randhir Verma (as Firdaus), Keerthi Bhanu (as the Commissioner), Rajiv Kachroo (as Anthony), Ankit Sharma (as Marcus), Tetiana Dar (as Tetiana Gaidar), Kaushik Desai (as the gangster), Parminder Singh Kainth (as the gangster), Vikash Rai (as the gangster) and the others provide the desired support.
Geetu Mohandas’ direction is good. Technically, she has made a stylised and polished film. But it must be added that her narration, like the drama, is confusing. All things considered, her direction is an asset. Music (by Ravi Basrur, Vishal Mishra, Tanishk Bagchi, Arslan Nizami and Faheem Abdullah) is very good. The Tabaahi song is already very popular. The other songs are also appealing. Lyrics (Raj Shekhar, Arslan Nizami, Syed Murad Gilani, Kaushal Kishore, Yash and Vishal Mishra) are weighty. Song picturisations (by Ganesh Acharya, Imran Sardhariya and A. Harsha) are very eye-filling. Ravi Basrur’s background music is superb. No doubt, it is loud but it heightens the impact of the drama manifold. Rajeev Ravi’s cinematography, with additional cinematography by Sandeep Sadashiva and Jayesh Nair, is first-rate. Action and stunt scenes (choreographed by J.J. Perry, Anbariv, Kesha Khamphakdee and Amrit Singh) are supremely exciting and thrilling. T.P. Abid’s production designing, and Mohan B. Kere and Sandeep G. Sharma’s art direction are of a high standard. Ujwal Kulkarni’s editing is sharp. Dubbing is extraordinary.
On the whole, Toxic: A Fairy Tale For Grown-Ups is a reasonably entertaining fare. It may carry mixed reports but it will do the numbers because of Yash’s terrific acting and attitude, the film’s huge canvas, the adult dialogues and scenes, and the thrilling stunts.
Released on 26-8-’26 at Inox (daily 17 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru AA Films. Publicity: extraordinary. Opening: tremendous. …….Also released all over. Opening was mind-blowing everywhere.