Kannada Cinema’s Big Names Upendra to Kichcha Sudeepa and Rishab Shetty Rally Behind Yash’s Toxic

As Yash’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups faces polarized reactions online, leading voices from Kannada cinema have come out strongly in support of the film, praising its ambition, scale, and Yash’s transformative performance. From Upendra and Kichcha Sudeepa to Kantara’s Rishab Shetty, the industry’s message is clear: this is a bold, unconventional experiment worth respecting.

Upendra Calls Toxic “A New World, An Entirely New Experience”

Veteran star-director Upendra was among the first to react, calling Toxic a completely new cinematic experience. On X, he wrote:

“TOXIC IS A FAIRY TALE …. BUT GROWN-UPS ?? Watched Toxic. Wow! What a movie! A new world and an entirely new experience! The hard work, dedication, and passion of every artist and technician are truly commendable! Hats off to Yash and the entire team!”

His reaction highlights the film’s world-building and technical ambition, positioning it as more than just a star vehicle.

Kichcha Sudeepa Applauds Yash’s “Guts” to Break Formula

Kichcha Sudeepa focused on Yash’s creative courage after the massive success of KGF: Chapter 2. He noted that Yash could have easily repeated a formulaic blockbuster but chose a riskier path instead.

“You’ve genuinely tried something out of the box rather than taking the predictable route… It takes a different mindset, conviction, and most importantly, the guts to attempt something like this. #Toxic is an unusual and commendable attempt… Kudos to you for daring to experiment and step away from the conventional.”

Sudeepa also pointed out that several portions of the film are “genuinely intriguing” and open to debate, discussion, and learning—framing Toxic as a conversation starter rather than a typical mass entertainer.

Rishab Shetty: “I Stand With You for Attempting This Daring Experiment”

Kantara star-director Rishab Shetty offered one of the most detailed defenses, focusing on Yash’s immersion in the character and the emotional complexity of the story.

“Maybe the plot and driving characters are not on the usual track on which most films travel, but that doesn’t mean the track is wrong… It’s not easy to give the audience an experience of how guilt multiplies and increases the toxicity in life. I stand with you for attempting this daring experiment, sir. We love you for the love you have for taking Kannada cinema to the global stage.”

Rishab’s statement subtly counters the criticism by emphasizing that unconventional storytelling doesn’t equal bad storytelling, and he praises Yash’s commitment to elevating Kannada cinema globally.

Rakshita Prem, Ashika Rangnath, Sanvi Sudeep, Vijay Prakash Weigh In

The support extends beyond male superstars. Actor-filmmaker Rakshita Prem expressed pride in Yash’s evolution, urging audiences to watch the film and form their own opinions instead of being swayed by negative reviews.

Ashika Rangnath highlighted the film’s exploration of guilt, trauma, and regret, calling attention to the psychological depth of the protagonist’s journey.

Sanvi Sudeep singled out Yash’s performance:

“Phenomenal doesn’t even begin to describe what he did in Toxic. He didn’t just act, he infected every frame with magic. A performance that lingers long after the credits.”

Singer Vijay Prakash described Toxic as “pure cinema,” driven by great performances and deeply rooted human emotions against a gang-war backdrop.

Why Kannada Cinema’s Support Is Significant

These reactions matter because they come at a time when Toxic has faced an unusually intense wave of negativity that many observers feel isn’t entirely organic. By focusing on the film’s ambition, scale, performances, and creative vision, Kannada cinema’s leading voices offer a powerful counter-narrative.

They also validate Yash and director Geetu Mohandas for deliberately moving away from the stereotypical larger-than-life hero image post-KGF 2, choosing instead a darker, more layered character and a distinct cinematic world.

Box Office Context: Audiences Are Still Showing Up

Beyond industry praise, the film’s commercial performance in the Hindi belt underscores its reach. Reports indicate that Toxic has crossed ₹112 crore net in just four days in the Hindi market, suggesting that audiences are embracing Yash in this new avatar despite mixed reviews.