The production team of Yash’s much-awaited ‘Toxic – A Fairy Tale for Adults’ has released the first look of Nayanthara as Gangaa, showcasing a role that combines visual strength and commanding presence.
The poster places Nayanthara in front of the entrance of an ornate casino, weapon in hand, projecting controlled power in a high-stakes, luxurious environment. This image marks the actor’s departure, suggesting a character defined by calculated authority rather than conventional heroism.
Nayanthara has established himself as one of India’s most acclaimed actors in a 20-year career in which he has appeared in over 75 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films. Her filmography includes successful female-centric films like ‘Aram’, ‘Kolamaav Kokila’ and ‘Netrikan’, along with Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster ‘Jawan’.
Yash is a Kannada-speaking film actor who rose to pan-India stardom with the series ‘KGF’ and became one of the most popular stars in Indian cinema. Known for his portrayal of Rocky Bhai in KGF: Chapter 1 (2018) and KGF: Chapter 2 (2022), Yash’s transformation into a larger-than-life action hero broke the language barrier and propelled the film to unprecedented box office success. The second film in the series became the fifth highest grossing film in Indian film history. While the ‘KGF’ series cemented his star power, Yash’s early career in Kannada films showed his versatility with notable performances in projects like ‘Mr & Mrs Ramachari’ (2014) and ‘Google’ (2013).
‘Toxic’ is helmed by festival circuit favorite Geethu Mohandas (‘Mooson’). This ambitious project represents a turning point for Kannada cinema, which is steadily gaining international attention after the ‘KGF’ phenomenon. Written by Yash and Mohandas, Toxic breaks new ground as the first major Indian film to be conceived, written and shot simultaneously in both Kannada and English, with dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and other languages also planned.
Director Geethu Mohandas said, “We all know that Nayan is a prominent star with a commanding screen presence and an impressive career spanning two decades, but in ‘Toxic’ audiences will witness a talent that has been quietly waiting to explode.” “I wanted to portray Nayan in a way I had never shown her before. But as filming progressed, I began to realize how closely her own personality reflected the soul of the character. It wasn’t an imitation, it was an adjustment. The depth, the honesty, the restraint she brought. Control, emotional clarity were qualities she already possessed, rather than acting superimposed on top of the character. I found my Ganga played so brilliantly by her, and even more unexpectedly, I found a dear friend. ”
This release follows previous character releases in the film, including Kiara Advani as Nadia and Huma Qureshi as Elizabeth, each presenting a unique visual aesthetic within the film’s story world.
The production brought together a renowned technical staff including Indian National Film Award-winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, composer Ravi Basroor, editor Ujjwal Kulkarni and production designer TP Abid. The action scenes were choreographed by Hollywood’s J.J. Perry, known for “John Wick,” and Indian National Film Award-winning duo Anbarib and Kecak Kampakdee.
Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash through KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic – A Fairy Tale for Adults is scheduled to hit theaters on March 19, 2026, taking advantage of the long holiday weekend that includes Eid, Ugadi and Gudi Padwa celebrations.
