Swastika Mukherjee Defends Kiara Advani Amidst ‘Toxic’ Backlash: “Did She Sign a Contract to Only Play Mother Teresa?”

The release of Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas and starring Yash and Kiara Advani, has sparked a firestorm of debate online. While the film continues its strong run at the global box office—having already grossed approximately ₹221 crore—it has been dogged by controversy regarding intimate sequences between its lead actors. Amidst the mounting criticism, acclaimed actress Swastika Mukherjee has stepped forward to call out the hypocrisy directed at Kiara Advani.

Addressing Pre-Release Judgement

In a candid interview, Mukherjee expressed deep frustration over the audience’s growing tendency to critique films before they are even released. She argued that the discourse surrounding modern cinema is often poisoned by “rant and banter” that ignores the narrative context of the work.

“As far as already forming an opinion before even seeing the work, I think we are doomed,” Mukherjee stated. “You don’t know what’s in the film. You don’t know the worth of the character. You don’t know the storyline. You don’t know how it’s been picturised. You just know that some intimacy is there, so you start your rant.”

The “Motherhood” Double Standard

The backlash against Advani intensified following the release of the song ‘Tabaahi,’ which teased intimate scenes between the leads. Certain segments of social media users took the criticism to a personal level, dragging Advani’s private life into the fray, specifically referencing her motherhood. Advani, who welcomed her daughter, Saraayah, with husband Sidharth Malhotra last July, has faced unsolicited moral policing regarding her professional choices.

Mukherjee slammed this line of thinking, questioning why a woman’s personal life should ever dictate her career path. “Did Kiara, or the other actor, sign an MOU or publish pamphlets to the entire audience fraternity saying, ‘I’m only going to play Mother Teresa-type roles’?” she asked rhetorically.

Normalizing Adult Conversations

Beyond the specific defense of her colleague, Mukherjee took the opportunity to address a larger, systemic discomfort within Indian society regarding sexuality. She pointed out the inherent irony in a society that critiques intimacy on screen while remaining biologically rooted in it.

“Children don’t fall into our laps. We become mothers because we are intimate with our partners,” Mukherjee noted. “I really don’t think our country, or society in general, is progressing towards the fact that sex is normal. It’s part of everyone’s life, whether you’re below the poverty line or a trillionaire. That’s how generations move forward.”

The Film’s Performance

Despite the vocal minority of critics who have targeted the film’s tone and the nature of its intimate scenes, Toxic remains a commercial powerhouse. As reported by Sacnilk, the film continues to draw audiences globally, proving that the digital outrage has done little to hinder its box office performance.

For industry veterans like Mukherjee, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the uphill battle actresses continue to face in navigating professional autonomy in a climate that remains deeply judgmental of their personal and creative lives.