Geetu Mohandas is facing a fresh wave of online discussion after an old interview resurfaced following the release of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The Yash-led gangster drama opened in theatres on August 26 and has already made a major impact at the box office, but its reception has been far more divided. While some viewers have praised the film’s visual ambition, Yash’s performance and its attempt to approach the gangster genre differently, criticism has focused heavily on the writing, editing and overall narrative.
Against that backdrop, an old video of Mohandas discussing her filmmaking process has started circulating on X. In the clip, the filmmaker openly talks about how her films can evolve considerably between the writing, shooting and editing stages. The timing of the video has made it especially interesting to viewers who feel that Toxic’s unconventional storytelling does not always follow the straightforward path they expected from a large-scale Yash film.
What Geetu Mohandas Said About Her Films
In the resurfaced interview, Mohandas said, “I write something else, I shoot something else, I edit something else and then the film is out… Then I’m happy.” She went on to explain that she does not always remain tied to the original script once filming begins. She also said, “I never stick to the script even while filming.”
Mohandas further described how she approaches conversations with producers, saying, “You are not going to get what you are reading.” Those comments are now being viewed through the lens of Toxic, with some social media users connecting her earlier explanation of the creative process to the film’s unconventional structure and presentation.
It is important, however, not to treat the old remarks as a direct explanation or defence of every creative decision in Toxic. The interview predates the film, and the resurfaced clip does not specifically discuss Toxic or respond to its current reviews. What it does provide is a glimpse into Mohandas’ long-standing approach to filmmaking, where the final movie can evolve away from the version that existed on paper.
Why The Video Is Getting Attention Now
The timing is what has turned an old filmmaking discussion into a new social media talking point. Toxic has received sharply different reactions since its theatrical release, with several reviewers acknowledging its ambition while questioning whether its screenplay and editing successfully hold together the ideas Mohandas is attempting to explore. The Week described the film as an experimental departure from conventional gangster cinema, while also pointing to problems with its pacing, editing and writing.
Other reviews have been considerably harsher. The Indian Express gave the film 1.5 stars and criticised its excessive violence and storytelling, while Hindustan Times also took issue with what it viewed as the film’s lack of emotional depth. At the same time, NDTV’s review was more positive, awarding Toxic three stars and praising the performances of its ensemble cast while noting that the film falls short of the Hollywood-style gangster epic it appears to be aiming for.
That split helps explain why Mohandas’ comments have suddenly become relevant to online conversations. Some viewers are using the clip to argue that her unconventional process was visible in Toxic, while others are questioning whether creative freedom matters if the finished film struggles to connect with its intended audience. One social media reaction cited in the source material questioned the purpose of making a film if it does not engage or connect with viewers, while another user questioned whether a director who speaks this way should be trusted with a large-scale project.
There is another layer to the debate because Toxic is not a small experimental production. It is a major star vehicle built around Yash, whose previous theatrical release was KGF: Chapter 2, and it arrived after years of anticipation. India Today has also highlighted the unusual contrast between Mohandas’ earlier intimate filmmaking, including Moothon and Liar’s Dice, and the much larger commercial scale of Toxic.
Toxic Is Dividing Viewers, But The Box Office Is Strong
The online criticism has not stopped audiences from turning up for the film. Toxic crossed the ₹100 crore net mark in India on its opening day, according to Sacnilk figures reported by multiple outlets, giving Yash one of the biggest theatrical openings of his career. The film’s commercial performance is therefore telling a very different story from the divided critical response.
The contrast is particularly interesting because the film has taken a deliberately different route from a conventional mass gangster entertainer. Reviews have pointed to its stylised presentation, violence, unusual visual choices and fragmented storytelling, while Yash’s screen presence has remained one of the elements most frequently praised. Cinema Express also reported that audience reactions were split, with criticism concentrating on the screenplay, dialogues, editing and long runtime.
Toxic also has a sizeable female ensemble featuring Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi. Yash plays dual roles in the film, while the story uses a stylised period setting and gangster backdrop to explore its characters. The combination of a major pan-India star, an ambitious visual design and Mohandas’ distinctly unconventional filmmaking approach has made the film one of the more debated releases of 2026.
For Mohandas, the more meaningful question may ultimately be whether audiences and critics reassess the film after the initial release-day reaction settles. An experimental film can divide viewers without necessarily being unsuccessful, but the debate becomes more complicated when that experimentation is attached to a ₹100-crore-plus opening and the expectations surrounding a star like Yash. Toxic is therefore caught between two very different measures of success: its commercial reach and its ability to make its creative choices work for viewers.
Geetu Mohandas’ Toxic Debate Explained
What did Geetu Mohandas say in the old viral video? Mohandas explained that she can write, shoot and edit different versions of a film before arriving at the final product. She also said she does not always stick to the original script while filming.
Why has the video resurfaced now? The clip began circulating after Toxic received mixed reactions from critics and audiences. Viewers are connecting her comments about her creative process with the unconventional storytelling seen in the film.
Did Geetu Mohandas make the comments about Toxic? No. The resurfaced interview is an older discussion about her filmmaking approach and does not specifically address Toxic or its current reception.
What are critics saying about Toxic? Reviews are divided, with praise for Yash, the visual ambition and performances existing alongside criticism of the screenplay, editing, pacing and storytelling.
How is Toxic performing at the box office? The film crossed ₹100 crore net in India on its opening day, showing that its commercial appeal remains strong despite the divided reviews.
Who stars in Toxic alongside Yash? The film features Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth in important roles, with Geetu Mohandas directing.
