The teaser of actor Yash’s upcoming film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has come under official scrutiny after complaints alleging obscene and explicit content were raised by political and social groups in Karnataka. The Karnataka State Women’s Commission (KSWC) has now formally written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), seeking appropriate action after reviewing the teaser.
The development follows a complaint submitted by the women’s wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which urged authorities to intervene, citing concerns over the impact of the teaser’s visuals on women, children, and broader societal values.
Women’s Commission Seeks Review and Report
On Monday, leaders from AAP’s women’s wing met officials of the Karnataka State Women’s Commission and submitted a detailed petition objecting to certain scenes in the teaser. Acting on the complaint, the commission forwarded the matter to the CBFC.
In a letter addressed to the certification body, the commission’s secretary requested the CBFC to examine the teaser in accordance with established rules and submit an action-taken report. The letter referenced a petition filed by AAP state secretary Usha Mohan, who alleged that the teaser contained objectionable material released without adequate content warnings.
According to the petition, the visuals allegedly lacked age-related disclaimers and were made available in the public domain, raising concerns about exposure to minors.
Allegations of Cultural and Social Harm
In her submission, Usha Mohan claimed that the teaser’s content “degrades the dignity of women” and harms the social well-being of women and children. She further alleged that the visuals insult Kannada culture and cross accepted boundaries of public decency.
The AAP’s women’s wing urged the commission to treat the issue with urgency, citing what it described as the potential adverse impact on society. The party requested immediate intervention, including directions to state authorities to ban the teaser and ensure its removal from social media platforms.
The petition emphasized the need to uphold cultural values and moral responsibility, particularly in content that is widely accessible online.
Separate Complaint Filed with CBFC
Adding to the controversy, social activist Dinesh Kallahalli has also filed a formal complaint directly with the CBFC, objecting to the teaser on similar grounds. In his complaint addressed to CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi, Kallahalli described the teaser as containing scenes that are “grossly obscene, sexually explicit, and morally offensive.”
He stated that the teaser was being circulated widely across social media platforms without effective restrictions, thereby exposing the general public, including minors, to content he claims is legally impermissible and socially harmful.
Kallahalli further argued that while freedom of speech and expression is constitutionally protected, such protection does not extend to obscene or sexually explicit material. Citing Supreme Court precedents, he claimed that the teaser exceeds constitutional limits and therefore does not merit protection under free expression.
Legal and Regulatory Concerns Raised
The activist’s complaint also referenced provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Certification of Films Rules, and guidelines issued by the CBFC. He argued that all films, trailers, and promotional material must adhere to standards of decency, morality, and social responsibility, and called for regulatory action against the teaser.
As of now, the CBFC has not issued a public response to the complaints.
Film Background and Public Reaction
Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups marks Yash’s first project since the blockbuster KGF: Chapter 2 in 2022. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film is being shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and other languages.
The first-look teaser was released on January 8 to coincide with Yash’s 40th birthday, introducing his character ‘Raya’. Since its release, the teaser has sparked divided reactions on social media. While some users criticized the visuals and accused the film of objectifying women, others strongly defended the creative choices and backed the film’s team.
Produced by KVN Productions, Toxic is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19 and also features Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani, and Rukmini Vasanth in key roles.
With official complaints now under review, attention will be on the CBFC’s response in the coming days.