Toxic full cast revealed: Yash in dual role, Kiara Advani as Nadia, Nayanthara as his sister - who plays whom in the upcoming Kannada gangster film?

The countdown has already begun. After several delays and changes to its release date, Yash’s much-awaited film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is finally ready to hit theatres worldwide on August 26. With the big release just around the corner, fans are eager to know more about the film’s star-studded cast and the characters they play. From Yash’s double role to Kiara Advani and Nayanthara’s characters, here’s a complete look at who plays whom in the upcoming Kannada gangster drama.

All you need to know about Toxic cast

Yash plays father and son in Toxic

At the centre of Toxic is Yash, who takes on a challenging dual role. The actor plays Raya, the father, as well as his son Rumi, who is also known by the name “Ticket”. Their relationship is expected to be an important part of the film and adds an emotional layer to its gangster-driven story.


Kiara Advani plays Nadia, who is revealed to be Rumi or Ticket’s mother. Her character is connected closely to the family at the heart of the story.

Nayanthara, meanwhile, plays Ganga, Raya’s sister. Her role adds another important family connection to the narrative. The film also stars Huma Qureshi as Elizabeth, Tara Sutaria as Rebecca and Rukmini Vasanth as Mellisa.

The cast is not limited to Indian actors. Toxic also features international performers, including Kyle Paul, Beatriz Taufenbach, Surjith Gopinath, Benedict Garrett and Tetiana Gaidar, among others.

With such a large ensemble, the film brings together characters from different backgrounds and places them inside a world shaped by crime, ambition and complicated relationships.

What is Toxic about?

Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic is set against the backdrop of post-independence Goa. The story moves through a period when the region was going through major social changes after the end of colonial rule. Against this backdrop, the film explores a criminal world where power and survival often go hand in hand.

Although Toxic is built around a gangster story, it is not being presented as a straightforward tale of violence and revenge. The narrative also explores themes such as loyalty, morality, jealousy, love and redemption.

Yash’s two characters, Raya and Rumi, are central to this larger conflict. Their relationship is tied to questions of identity, power and ideology.

The story is expected to move beyond a conventional battle between a hero and a villain. Instead, it focuses on characters who exist in morally complicated situations, where their decisions are influenced by personal relationships and the pursuit of power.

Mohandas, who has previously directed films such as Liar’s Dice, brings a darker and more atmospheric approach to the project. She has also co-written Toxic with Yash.

Toxic budget, shooting locations and release details

Toxic has been mounted on a large scale and is reportedly being made on a budget of around Rs 500-600 crore. The film is jointly produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions and Yash through Monster Mind Creations.

The production involved an extensive shooting schedule. Principal photography began in August 2024 and continued until October 2025. The film was shot across several locations, including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Goa, Thoothukudi and Jaipur.

The technical team also includes several prominent names. The music features contributions from Vishal Mishra, Ravi Basrur, Tanishk Bagchi, Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami, while Basrur has also composed the background score. International stunt coordinator JJ Perry, known for his work on films such as John Wick and Fast & Furious, has worked on the action sequences alongside Indian action choreographers Anbariv and others.

Toxic marks Yash’s major return to the big screen after KGF: Chapter 2. The film was earlier scheduled to release on March 19 and later June 4, but both dates were pushed back. The changes were reportedly linked to release clashes and the logistical requirements of a worldwide launch.

Shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, Toxic will also be released with dubbed or subtitled versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. The film is therefore aiming for a wide pan-India theatrical reach when it arrives on August 26.