The team behind the upcoming action thriller gathered in Bengaluru on Saturday for a star-studded trailer launch event ahead of the film's theatrical release on August 26. Hosted by Danish Sait, the press event brought together lead actor and co-writer Yash, director Geetu Mohandas, producer Venkat K Narayana, and an ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth.  

‘Toxic’ Trailer Launch in Bengaluru

Held at a local shopping mall theatre before national media and fans, the press conference marked the first major public appearance of the film's cast and crew. The event featured onstage addresses from the cast and creative team, who shared insights into the movie's multi-year production journey, responded to recent online discussions, and highlighted the collaborative effort involved in bringing the project to scale.

Highlights from ‘Toxic’ Trailer Launch

Geetu Mohandas Calls Yash 'An Emotion'

Director Geetu Mohandas addressed the audience about her experience collaborating with the lead actor, describing Yash as far more than a star actor, producer, or co-writer. She publicly praised his commitment to her vision, calling him "an emotion" who consistently supported the project through its scale and demands.

Yash Defends Kiara Advani Against Trolling

Yash took time during his address to publicly stand by co-star Kiara Advani following online criticism regarding her role and scenes in the project. Praising her down-to-earth attitude and commitment to the character Nadia, Yash advised her to ignore negative commentary, stating, "Whatever you believe in, you should do and people will appreciate. It's just that we are a little ahead of times".

Kiara Advani Speaks on Her Transformation

Addressing the audience in a structured white ensemble, Kiara Advani expressed gratitude to Mohandas and Yash, stating she believed the duo "manifested" the role of Nadia for her. Advani noted that the challenging role pushed her as an actor, predicting that viewers would see a clear "before Toxic and after Toxic" shift in her career.

Yash Expresses Gratitude to His Wife Radhika Pandit 

Reflecting on the intense 4.5-year development cycle and demanding physical transformations required for the role, Yash thanked his wife, Radhika Pandit, who was in attendance. He acknowledged the personal sacrifices involved in managing a multi-year production and stepping out of his comfort zone.

Yash Declares Toxic is Not Yash's Movie

Emphasising the collaborative nature of the project, Yash stated onstage that the film transcends any single individual. "This movie is not Yash's film. This is an Indian film where all the top stars, where all the successful people, where all the talented people have kept their insecurities, their goals, or even their egos aside and come for just one cause – to put an Indian film on a global map," he declared.

Nayanthara on Making a Rare Appearance and Praising Yash

Nayanthara addressed her rare presence at promotional events, explaining that while she typically avoids them because she feels uncomfortable on stage, she made an exception after a single call from Yash. Recalling her first meeting with the actor, she remarked that his real-life presence mirrored his larger-than-life "Rocky Bhai" persona.

She lauded his 4.5-year dedication to Toxic, praising his work ethic and family sacrifices, while also acknowledging director Geetu Mohandas, with whom she acted 20 years ago and co-stars Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, and Rukmini Vasanth.

Danish Sait Jokes on Producer Venkat K Narayana's Deep Pocket

Host Danish Sait brought lighthearted humour to the stage while introducing producer Venkat K. Narayana of KVN Productions, quipping about the sheer scale and massive budget of the multi-starrer project by joking about how remarkably deep Narayana’s pockets must be.  

Taking the stage in good humour, Narayana responded modestly to the banter by redirecting credit to the film's team and vision, explaining that the scale of Toxic is a reflection of Yash’s relentless pursuit of excellence and the collaborative passion of the entire cast and crew.