Why Nayanthara thinks ‘there’ll be a Kiara before and a Kiara after Toxic’?

Nayanthara does not usually turn up for film promotions, but ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ was an exception. The actor attended the film's trailer launch in Bengaluru on Saturday and had plenty to say about the people she worked with, especially director Geetu Mohandas and her co-star Yash.

Lady Superstar Nayanthara explained why she is rarely seen at promotional events.

"It's not that I don't want to attend promotional events; it's just that I'm not very good at it. I stay away from it, but this was special. Yash just made a call, and it was enough for me to attend the event. The kind of vision these people have; I thank our producer for believing in the vision Geetu had. He is one of the nicest producers I have ever worked with."

Watch trailer here-

She also spoke about her long association with Geetu Mohandas, whom she had worked with as an actor years ago. Nayanthara and Geetu go back nearly two decades. They had previously acted together, but Nayanthara said she met a very different Geetu when the latter approached her for ‘Toxic’.

"Geetu and I have had a long and beautiful journey. We have acted in a film together, maybe 20 years ago. That was a different Geetu. When she called me for this film, I wasn't so sure because there are a lot of actors in the film, and usually, I am a little careful or apprehensive about choosing a film where there are a lot of actors."

"When she called me, I said I don't think I want to do this film. She asked me several times. So I asked her to come and narrate it to me. From that moment, I wondered who is this director that we have not seen."

After watching the trailer, Nayanthara said audiences were yet to see the full extent of what Geetu had created.

"You have seen the trailer, but the film is going to blow your mind."

She also praised Geetu for the way she handled the actors during the shoot.

"I have so much to say about her, the woman that you are, the way you took care of each and every actor, and gave love when everyone needed you. All actors have had their tough moments and she was there holding their hands, walking with them, doing the best she could."

'I have never seen an actor take care of the director the way he did'

Nayanthara reserved some of her strongest words for Yash. She said his larger-than-life image was not limited to the screen and that his dedication to the project impressed her throughout the shoot.

"The first time I met Yash… I have worked with a lot of superstars and actors; everyone is big and cool. With Yash, when I met him for the first time, the larger-than-life image he has is the same in person."

"I have never ever seen a more hardworking actor than him. Every single day on set, I was amazed at the way he worked."

According to Nayanthara, Yash spent four and a half years on the project and made considerable sacrifices during that period.

"This man gave four and a half years of his life. He sacrificed his time with his family, his kids; he was just bothered about work. I have never seen an actor take care of the director the way he did. I have so much love and respect for the actor, producer, and human being he is."

She also made it a point to acknowledge Yash's wife, Radhika Pandit, for supporting him through the long process.

"I also want to mention Radhika. Everyone talks about the cast and crew, but no one talks about the sacrifices of the family. She has been Yash's biggest strength."

Nayanthara predicts a new phase for Kiara

Nayanthara also had praise for the women in the Toxic cast. She sent love to Rukmini Vasanth, Tara Sutaria, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi and Akshay.

Speaking about Rukmini, she said she had followed the actor's work and was happy to see how her career had progressed.

"Lots of love to Rukmini, Tara, Kiara, Huma, and Akshay. I have been seeing Rukmini's journey and the amazing films she has been doing. I feel so proud of her."

She called Tara Sutaria "a cute princess" and spoke about the friendship she formed with Huma during the shoot.

"On sets, I made a friend. Huma and I spoke the most because we had the most combinations. I had an amazing experience working with her."

But it was her comments about Kiara that stood out. Nayanthara believes Toxic could become a major point in Kiara's career.

"Kiara, this is one of the best films you have done in your entire career. There is a Kiara before, and there will be a Kiara after Toxic. This film will be your best."

What's next for Nayanthara?

On the work front, Nayanthara was most recently seen alongside Chiranjeevi in ‘Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu’, which released during the Sankranti season. The actor is set to work with Salman Khan in director Vamsi Paidipally's upcoming film, tentatively titled ‘SVC63’. She will also headline the romance drama ‘Hi’ opposite Kavin Raj.