Yash’s ‘Toxic’ English version is 17 minutes shorter: What has been cut?

Yash’s ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ is getting a second theatrical outing in India, but audiences returning for the English version will not be watching exactly the same film. The English-language cut of Geetu Mohandas’ period gangster drama, arriving in select cinemas on September 4, is reportedly around 17 minutes shorter than the Indian-language theatrical version. 

The timing is notable. ‘Toxic’ opened in theatres on August 26 and is now entering its second week, with the new English cut offering audiences a more compact version of the film. The makers have also clarified that this is not simply a dubbed edition, as English was one of the languages in which the film was written and shot.

How much shorter is the English version?

The Indian-language theatrical version has a reported runtime of 3 hours, 14 minutes and 12 seconds. The new English cut, meanwhile, runs for approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes.

That puts the difference at roughly 17 minutes.

The makers announced the release on social media, describing the English edition as “one of the languages the film was written and shot in” and specifically calling it “A shorter cut from the Indian language version.”

The English version had already been released in select overseas markets on August 26. Its arrival in Indian cinemas on September 4 now gives the film another theatrical route during its second week.

What has been removed from Toxic?

That is the question likely to dominate discussions around the new version.

The makers have not disclosed which scenes or sequences have been shortened or removed to bring the runtime down. According to India Today, songs including Kiara Advani’s ‘Tabaahi’ and ‘Madhosh’ are reportedly among the portions that may have been trimmed from the shorter version.

There is no official confirmation from the team that either song has been cut from the English edition, so the reports remain speculation for now.

The shorter version could nevertheless make the film a more accessible proposition for viewers who were interested in the English-language release but found the original runtime daunting. It also gives ‘Toxic’ an opportunity to reach audiences who may prefer watching the film in English rather than through a dubbed version.

An English cut with a different purpose

Unlike a conventional dubbed release, the English version has a closer connection to the film's original production. ‘Toxic’ was written and shot in Kannada and English before being made available in several other Indian languages through dubbed versions.

The new theatrical cut therefore represents a distinct version of the film rather than simply another language track.

The move also reflects the scale of the project and its attempt to appeal to audiences beyond a single linguistic market. Set in post-independence Goa, the film combines gangster drama with a stylised and atmospheric visual world, following a central character caught between power, loyalty, violence and the possibility of redemption.

‘Toxic’ struggles at the box office

The new version arrives at a time when Toxic has faced a challenging theatrical run.

The film opened to largely negative reviews and has recorded a declining collection trend after its opening day. On Day 9, the Yash-starrer reportedly collected Rs 4.25 crore net in India, according to Sacnilk, from 10,863 shows. The figure marked a 22% drop from the Rs 5.45 crore reported for Day 8.

The film has reportedly collected around Rs 320 crore worldwide so far.

Its English-language edition also did not make a major impact in overseas markets following its August 26 release. The shorter Indian theatrical cut now arrives with the possibility of attracting a fresh set of viewers, even as the original version continues its theatrical run.

What is ‘Toxic’ about?

Directed by Geetu Mohandas, ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ is set against the backdrop of Goa and centres on Yash’s character, Raya, as he navigates a world shaped by ambition, violence and shifting loyalties.

The film features an ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.

The official plot summary describes the story as one in which “A gangster navigates the complexities of loyalty, morality, and the struggle for personal redemption in a post-independence Goa where violence and jealousy reign. With its atmospheric world, brutal action sequences, and morally conflicted characters, the film explores the price one must pay for love and for finding redemption amidst the darkness."