The recently released Ladies & Ladies teaser for the Yash-led action thriller Toxic has sparked an online debate, drawing criticism over its portrayal of female characters. Responding to the backlash during a recent Instagram “Ask Me Anything” session, actor Benedict Garrett, who plays a supporting role in the film, dismissed the negative reactions.
When asked why the promo was receiving hate, Garrett replied, “I have no idea. I can only assume people have more problems seeing sexually related content than they do seeing violence, which, in my opinion, is totally f****d. Give me a world with sex over violence any day.”
Inside the Controversial Teaser
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the promo features a tongue-in-cheek disclaimer warning children and great-grandparents before showcasing an adult-toned blend of sensuality and action:
-
The Ensemble: The teaser introduces a high-profile female cast, including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth.
-
Key Sequences: The footage shows an intimate beach shot involving Yash, a sequence where Nayanthara guns down enemies while riding a motorcycle, and a stylized look at Kiara Advani. It concludes on a dark note, with Yash holding a revolver inside a woman’s mouth.
-
The Narrative: A background female voiceover delivers a cynical commentary on romance, stating, “Love makes monsters of women. It’s a beautiful illusion if one understands the depth of its deception. And yet here we are.”
Revised Release Timeline
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups has seen its theatrical rollout delayed multiple times. Initially skipping a March 19 clash with Dhurandhar: The Revenge, a subsequent June 4 launch was also postponed due to distribution alignments and complexities arising from geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.
The makers have officially locked a global theatrical release date for August 26. Produced under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, the film was shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, and will be released alongside dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.
