Director Hemanth Rao Defends Yash’s ‘Toxic’ Amidst Box Office Turbulence: “The Last Half Hour Was Beautiful”
Despite a record-breaking start, Yash’s ambitious venture Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has faced a challenging trajectory at the box office, accompanied by a polarizing reception from critics and audiences alike. However, as the film navigates this downward trend, it has found a vocal champion in acclaimed Kannada filmmaker Hemanth Rao.
Known for his masterful work on the Sapta Saagaradaache Ello franchise, Rao took to social media to publicly endorse the project, praising both the film’s narrative risks and the central performance of its lead star.
A Masterclass in Conviction
In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Hemanth Rao lauded the creative team’s audacity, emphasizing that the film represents a bold departure from conventional commercial cinema.
“Storytelling is about convictions and being brave. Very few walk that path,” Rao wrote. “From producer and director to actors, I’m so amazed by so many decisions that have gone into making #Toxic a reality.”
Rao was particularly moved by the film’s conclusion and Yash’s portrayal of the protagonist, Raya. “What beautiful performances by everybody, and man oh man… Raya, the older madder version, was so good. For me, the last half hour was beautiful. It definitely calls for a big screen experience.”
The director concluded his endorsement with high praise for director Geetu Mohandas and the stellar cast, including Rukmini Vasanth, tagging them with a note of “mad respect.”
Fueling Future Collaborations
The public show of support has ignited a frenzy of speculation among fans regarding a potential collaboration between the two. While neither party has confirmed a project, industry insiders note that Hemanth Rao’s strength in character-driven storytelling aligns seamlessly with Yash’s recent pivot toward experimental, high-stakes cinema. Fans are already theorizing that a union of their creative visions could be on the horizon following Yash’s upcoming commitments.
Industry Solidarity
Hemanth Rao is not alone in his defense of the film. Toxic has garnered significant backing from the upper echelons of the Kannada film industry. Major stars, including Upendra, Kichcha Sudeep, and Rishab Shetty, have all stepped forward to commend the effort and ambition behind the Toxic project.
About the Film
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Yash, Toxic features an expansive ensemble cast including Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, Tara Sutaria, and Akshay Oberoi. The film was shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
Box Office Performance
While the film is currently seeing a cooling-off period at the ticket windows, its initial momentum remains significant. According to data from Sacnilk, the film’s India net collection reached ₹221.55 crore by its sixth day, with its worldwide gross crossing the ₹304.05 crore mark. Whether the “word-of-mouth” support from industry heavyweights can stabilize the film’s theatrical run remains to be seen.
