Why Kannada film industry is coming together to support Yash after Toxic's release? Rishab Shetty, Kiccha Sudeep and others speak out

Yash's latest movie, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, is currently the talk of the town. The movie was released on August 26 and has received mixed reviews from audiences and critics alike. While the film was expected to be another major success for Yash after the KGF franchise, its early response has not met the high expectations surrounding it.

The Geetu Mohandas directorial venture has faced criticism from a section of viewers, while its box office performance has also become a talking point. However, amid the mixed reactions, several renowned celebs from the Kannada film industry have publicly backed Yash and his decision to attempt something different.

Rishab Shetty praises Yash's performance and vision

National Award-winning actor Rishab Shetty was among the latest Kannada stars to come out in support of Yash and Toxic. Taking to social media, Rishab praised Yash for the commitment he brought to his character and talked about the effort involved in creating the film.


According to Rishab, "As an artist, when you play a character, you try to bring it to life from the bottom of your heart. And here, I am truly impressed by the conviction with which the struggle of a powerful man has been portrayed."

Rishab also defended the film's unusual storytelling style. He acknowledged that the plot and its central characters may not move along the familiar path followed by mainstream films. However, he stressed that being different does not automatically mean that the approach is wrong.

The actor further pointed out that making a film requires enormous effort, from developing an idea to finally bringing it to the screen. He praised the entire Toxic team for undertaking that journey.

While addressing Yash directly, Rishab said "@TheNameIsYash Sir, hats off to the way you have surrendered yourself to a character and a world that demands a larger-than-life performance. I could clearly feel that in every single scene."

Rishab's message also carried a larger sentiment about Kannada cinema. He appreciated Yash's efforts to take the industry and its stories to a global audience.

Kiccha Sudeep and Upendra also stand by Yash

Rishab is not the only Kannada actor to support Toxic. Kiccha Sudeep had also praised Yash and the film shortly after its release.

Taking to his social media handle, he wrote, "Just want to say this, @TheNameIsYash -- you've genuinely tried something out of the box rather than taking the predictable route of making another regular, expected, formulaic follow-up to your previous commercial blockbuster."

The actor pointed out that experimenting with a film after delivering a massive commercial success requires confidence. He praised Yash for having the mindset and courage to take such a risk.

The Kannada actor also described Toxic as an unusual and commendable attempt. He suggested that several portions of the film could lead to discussions and debates, rather than simply being consumed as conventional commercial cinema.

Actor Upendra also joined the growing support for Yash. After watching the film, he described it as a completely new experience and praised the work put in by the film's artists and technicians.

"A new world and an entirely new experience. Hats off to Yash and his entire team."

The support comes at a time when Toxic is facing competition from films across different language industries. Other recent releases have also received strong backing from their respective film communities, making the response from Kannada stars particularly noticeable.

Toxic faces box office pressure despite industry support

While the film has found support among several senior Kannada actors, its commercial performance remains a concern. Toxic was expected to perform strongly, particularly because it marks Yash's return after the phenomenal success of the KGF films.

The film is all set to cross Rs 300 crore at the worldwide box office in five days. The numbers have led to comparisons with KGF Chapter 2, which had a much stronger opening phase.

The mixed response has therefore created an unusual situation for Toxic. On one hand, the film is facing criticism from sections of the audience and is under pressure at the box office. On the other, some of the biggest names in Kannada cinema are publicly defending Yash's creative choice.

Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is directed by Geetu Mohandas and features Yash in dual roles. The cast also includes Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth, among others.

The film is produced by Venkat K Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations LLP.