From Fighter to ‘Toxic’: How a Chance Encounter and a Godfather Audition Landed Akshay Oberoi a Pivotal Role

Actor Akshay Oberoi has been earning significant acclaim for his compelling performance in the star-studded drama Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups. While his screen time may be brief, the impact of his work has left a lasting impression on audiences. In a recent interview, Oberoi pulled back the curtain on the unexpected, serendipitous journey that led him to join the project, crediting a young moviegoer for kickstarting the entire process.

The Power of a 13-Year-Old’s Movie Choice

The story of Oberoi’s casting is a classic example of Hollywood-style kismet. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, the actor revealed that director Geetu Mohandas discovered him through a completely unplanned family outing.

“She saw my film Fighter (2024), after which she got in touch with me. It’s all thanks to her 13-year-old daughter, by the way!” Oberoi shared. “Geetu’s meeting had been cancelled, leaving her with a free schedule. Her daughter insisted they watch Fighter. She agreed, watched my performance, and subsequently sourced my contact information.”

A Professional Approach to the Audition

Once the initial contact was made, Mohandas was keen to evaluate Oberoi’s versatility, specifically regarding his ability to perform in English. She reached out to casting director Yash Nagarkoti, expressing her need to see him handle a script in a language other than Hindi.

Determined to make a lasting impression, Oberoi decided to go above and beyond a standard audition tape. Nagarkoti suggested he perform the iconic dialogue of Moe Greene from the cinematic masterpiece The Godfather. Rather than sending a casual, low-effort clip, Oberoi went all in.

“I wore a suit, did my hair, performed the entire scene on camera, and sent it to her,” he explained. “I thought, ‘Audio bhej ke kya karta main?’ (What would I have achieved by just sending audio?) If I had a chance to make her watch me act, I decided I should put it on tape and do it in the best way possible.” His dedication clearly paid off, as Mohandas later admitted she hadn’t expected such a polished and professional submission.

A Learning Curve Among Giants

Reflecting on the production, Oberoi described his time on the set of Toxic as one of the most formative experiences of his career. Being part of such a high-profile project—which features a massive ensemble cast including Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi—provided him with a unique vantage point on the mechanics of filmmaking.

“It’s the film where I probably learned the most, including about the business of cinema,” Oberoi noted. “There were so many big stars, and hence, it was a complete learning graph.”

As fans continue to discuss his performance, the story behind his inclusion serves as a reminder of how quickly trajectories can change in the film industry—sometimes all it takes is a canceled meeting, a determined teenager, and a perfectly executed Akshay Oberoi audition.

Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas, hit theaters on August 26, 2026.