‘We are ahead of times’: Yash defends Kiara Advani from trolling over Toxic's intimate scenes

At the trailer launch of ‘Toxic’ in Bengaluru on Saturday, Yash stepped up to defend co-star Kiara Advani, who has faced online backlash since the film's teaser dropped for its intimate scenes.

Yash praises Kiara's dedication

The event took place at a mall in Bengaluru, where the trailer was screened for media from across the country. Once the screening wrapped, Yash took the stage and spoke at length about his co-stars, singling out Kiara for special praise.

Also Read: ‘Toxic’ trailer released: Here’s what it reveals about Yash’s dark action drama

He said the trailer only offers a glimpse of the effort she put into the role, calling her hardworking and deeply committed.

Yash also opened up about the challenges of assembling such a large, high-profile ensemble cast, admitting the team had initially worried about friction among so many big names coming together on one project.

He credited Kiara for setting a positive tone early on, noting how grounded and surrendered she was to the vision of the film right from the start, which he said made the rest of the process smoother.

A message to the trolls

Kiara plays a circus performer named Nadia in ‘Toxic’, and her romantic scenes with Yash's character have drawn criticism online, especially after the song "Tabaahi" went viral for its bold visuals.

Also Read: Is this Yash, Kiara’s hottest on-screen pairing yet? WATCH Toxic’s first song ‘Tabaahi’

Without directly naming her critics, Yash urged Kiara not to let the negativity affect her, insisting that artists should always follow what they genuinely believe in rather than bowing to outside pressure.

He added that such work eventually gets appreciated and celebrated, framing the current backlash as simply a case of the film being ahead of its time.

Directed by Geetu Mohandas, ‘Toxic’ is a pan-India action thriller shot simultaneously in English and Kannada, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. Marketed with the tagline "A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups," the film also stars Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi in key roles.

Also Read: Yash's 'Toxic' trailer gets a release date; new poster raises even more questions

The trailer released on Saturday shows Yash in a dual role, playing both father and son, and hints at a violent showdown between the two characters while keeping the larger plot under wraps.

Produced by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, ‘Toxic’ is set for a worldwide theatrical release on August 26.