Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has showered praise on director Geethu Mohandas after watching the character teaser of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, starring Yash.

Taking to X, Varma called Mohandas a powerful symbol of women empowerment and expressed disbelief at the scale and execution of the visuals.

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“After seeing the @TheNameIsYash starring trailer of #Toxic I have no doubt that @GeethuMohandas_ is the ultimate symbol of Women Empowerment ..No Male director is Man enough in comparison to this Woman .. I still can’t believe she shot this,” RVG wrote after watching the teaser.

Earlier on Thursday, the makers of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups unveiled Yash’s character teaser, coinciding with the actor’s 40th birthday celebrations. The reveal instantly generated buzz among fans, who had been eagerly waiting for an update from the film.

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The teaser offers a striking first look at Yash in the role of Raya, portraying him as intense, enigmatic, and fearless. Set against a haunting cemetery backdrop, the clip opens with bursts of gunfire, announcing the arrival of Raya, calm, composed, and unflinching, wielding a Tommy gun.

The teaser came as a special treat for fans, particularly as Yash skipped his customary birthday fan meet this year. Addressing this, the actor shared a message with fans through his Instagram Stories on Wednesday.

In his statement, Yash said he understands how eagerly fans look forward to meeting him and admitted that he misses them as well. He explained that despite wanting to meet fans on his birthday, he was unable to do so as he is “fully immersed” in work on Toxic to ensure the film is completed on time. Yash also reassured fans that they would meet in a “much bigger way” soon and promised to personally read all the birthday wishes sent to him.