Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has stepped in to defend Yash’s upcoming film Toxic, weeks after its first-look teaser sparked widespread controversy over a graphic sex scene.
Speaking candidly about the outrage, Kashyap argued that the reaction says more about society than cinema, calling it a clear case of “cultural hypocrisy.”
“We Accept Machismo, But Not Female Desire”
Anurag Kashyap addressed the issue while attending the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival, where he participated in a discussion titled Fearless Film Making, moderated by noted film critic Baradwaj Rangan.
Referring directly to the criticism faced by Toxic, Kashyap described the film as an “extremely courageous attempt.” He pointed out the double standards often applied to on-screen sexuality, saying male actors appear shirtless and display exaggerated machismo all the time without objection.
“But when a woman celebrates her sexuality, suddenly it becomes uncomfortable,” Kashyap noted, adding that such selective outrage exposes deep-rooted hypocrisy in cultural attitudes.
Why the Toxic Teaser Triggered Backlash
The teaser for Toxic grabbed attention for its stark imagery. While it introduced Yash’s character through a violent rampage in a cemetery, the opening moments featured a graphic sex scene inside a van involving the protagonist and a female character.
Many social media users criticised the sequence as unnecessary and accused the makers of catering to the male gaze. The backlash quickly escalated, with Brazilian actor Beatriz Taufenbach, who appeared in the teaser, reportedly deleting her social media presence amid intense online trolling.
The controversy also drew institutional attention, with the Women’s Commission publicly criticising the teaser for its portrayal.
A Film That Isn’t Playing Safe
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic is being positioned as a bold, unconventional project. The film has been written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and shot in both Kannada and English, underlining its global ambitions.
The pan-India release boasts an ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth.
The film is slated for a theatrical release on March 19 and is set to clash at the box office with Dhurandhar 2, starring Ranveer Singh.
Final Words
With Anurag Kashyap publicly backing Toxic, the conversation around the film has shifted from shock to scrutiny — not just of the content, but of audience attitudes themselves. Whether one agrees with the teaser or not, Toxic has already succeeded in doing what fearless cinema often does best: forcing uncomfortable conversations.
As its release date approaches, the film now carries not just expectations, but the weight of a debate that goes far beyond the screen.
