Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups

It’s darker, stranger and much more experimental. Yash plays Raya, a powerful gangster whose rise and eventual downfall are shown through a very stylised, almost dreamlike narrative. The visuals are easily the biggest attraction. The production design, cinematography and action sequences look fantastic on the big screen, and Yash completely owns the character whenever he gets a chance to unleash that larger-than-life screen presence. But the story is where things get messy. At over three hours, the film feels stretched, and the screenplay jumps between characters and timelines without always giving enough context. The violence and style are impressive initially, but after a point they start overpowering the actual story. 🔥 What Works ✔ Yash is terrific in the lead ✔ Stunning visuals and production design ✔ Some fantastic action sequences ✔ Bold, unconventional filmmaking ✔ Excellent big-screen experience ⚠️ What Doesn’t ✖ Too long ✖ Storytelling can feel confusing ✖ Too much style over substance ✖ Supporting characters aren’t developed enough 🏁 Verdict Toxic is ambitious but uneven. There are moments where it looks absolutely spectacular, but the film doesn’t always have the story to match that scale. If you’re watching it mainly for Yash, action and visual spectacle, you’ll probably enjoy it. If you’re expecting another straightforward KGF-style gangster entertainer, this may disappoint.