Team behind YashThe long-awaited film “Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Adults” showed the first look at Nayanthara as Ganga, presenting the actress in a role that combines visual intensity with a commanding presence.
The poster shows Nayanthara in front of an ornate casino entrance, gun in hand, displaying controlled power in a luxurious, high-stakes setting. This portrayal marks a departure from the actor, suggesting that the character is defined by calculating authority rather than conventional heroism.
Nayanthara has established herself as one of India's best-known actresses over a career spanning two decades, appearing in over 75 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema. Her filmography includes successful women-centric films like Aramm, Kolamaavu Kokila and Netrikann, as well as Shah Rukh Khan's blockbuster Jawan.
Yash, an actor from the Kannada film industry who became a pan-India star with the KGF franchise, has become one of the most sought after stars of Indian cinema. Known for his role as Rocky Bhai in the films KGF: Chapter 1 (2018) andKGF: Chapter 2(2022) Yash's transformation into an incredible action hero led the films to unprecedented box office success, breaking language barriers. The second installment of the franchise is the fifth highest grosser of all time at the Indian box office. While KGF cemented his star power, Yash's early career in Kannada films showcased his versatility, with notable performances in projects like Mr. Kannada. and Mrs. Ramachari” (2014) and “Googly” (2013).
“Toxic” is led by a festival favorite Geetu Mohandas (“Mouton”). This ambitious project represents a watershed moment for Kannada cinema, which has been steadily gaining international popularity since the KGF phenomenon. Written by Yash and Mohandas, Toxic breaks new ground as India's first high-concept major film. written and filmed simultaneously in Kannada and English – Dubbed versions are planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and other languages.
“We all know Nayan as an iconic star with an impressive screen presence and a remarkable career spanning two decades, but in Toxic, audiences will witness a talent that has been quietly waiting to explode,” said director Geethu Mohandas. “I wanted to portray Nayan in a way that she had never been shown before. But as the shoot progressed, I began to see how closely her own personality resonated with the character's soul. It wasn't an imitation, it was a match. The depth, honesty, restraint and emotional clarity she brought were not acting put on top of the character, they were qualities she already possessed. I found my Ganga so brilliantly executed by her, and, even more unexpectedly, I I found a dear friend.”
The reveal follows previous character reveals for the production, including Kiara Advani as Nadia and Huma Qureshi as Elizabetheach representing a distinct visual aesthetic within the film's narrative world.
The production has an outstanding technical team including Indian National Film Award winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, composer Ravi Basrur, editor Ujjwal Kulkarni and production designer T.P. Abid. The sequence of actions was Hollywood choreographer JJ Perryknown for his work on John Wick, alongside Indian National Film Award-winning duo Anbariv and Kecha Khampakdi.
Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash in association with KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic: A Fairytale for Adults The release is scheduled for March 19, 2026.taking advantage of the extended holiday weekend which includes Eid, Ugadi and Gudi Padwa celebrations.
