New Delhi: Kannada superstar Yash described his upcoming film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups as an Indian film rather than a project belonging to any one regional film industry. Speaking at the film’s trailer launch in Bengaluru, Yash said the movie represents a collective effort by people from different parts of the Indian film industry.
The actor, who has also co-written and co-produced Toxic, said the film is an attempt to take Indian cinema to international audiences by bringing together talent from different industries.
Yash: ‘It is an Indian film’
Addressing the packed gathering at the trailer launch, Yash initially spoke in Kannada as a gesture of gratitude towards Karnataka, which he credited for giving him the platform to build his career.
He said that everything he had achieved in Karnataka had also brought a sense of responsibility. According to Yash, Toxic is his attempt to take that trust and support to the next level.
However, while acknowledging Karnataka’s contribution to the film, Yash made it clear that he does not want Toxic to be viewed only as a regional project.
“It’s not a Kannada film, Tamil film or a Telugu film. It is an Indian film,” Yash said.
He pointed to the diverse cast and crew involved in the project and said that people from different industries had come together for the film. He added that putting aside differences and egos is important if Indian cinema is to reach international markets.
‘I am just a labourer of Indian cinema’
Yash also spoke about the challenges involved in making Toxic, which was shot in Kannada and English and is being released in multiple languages.
He said the team did not allow self-doubt or negativity to stop them from attempting something different. Yash stressed that he has always wanted to take on projects that push boundaries and said that if someone believes something is impossible, it could simply be a lack of imagination.
The actor also urged audiences to give the film some space rather than expecting another conventional commercial entertainer following the success of KGF.
According to Yash, Toxic is not a “perfectly packaged” film but an attempt to do something different. He said the success of the movie, if it happens, would not belong to him alone but to everyone who contributed to the project.
Yash thanked director Geetu Mohandas, producer Venkat K Narayana and his co-stars, including Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani and Rukmini Vasanth, among others.
Concluding his address, Yash said, “I am just a labourer of Indian cinema,” a remark that received loud applause from the audience.
About Toxic
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is directed by Geetu Mohandas, with Yash serving as both co-writer and co-producer in addition to playing the lead. The film also stars Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.
The project has generated considerable attention because of its scale, multilingual approach and Yash’s return to the big screen after KGF: Chapter 2. Yash’s latest comments underline his ambition to position Toxic as a film representing Indian cinema on a wider global platform.