Yash’s upcoming pan-India film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has landed in controversy after the Karnataka State Commission for Women (KSWC) wrote to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), seeking “appropriate action” on objections raised over the teaser.
The Trigger: Complaint Over ‘Obscene’ Content
The move follows a complaint filed by the AAP women’s wing in Karnataka, which alleged the teaser contains “obscene and explicit” visuals and demanded that it be taken down from public platforms. The complaint also flagged concerns over public circulation of the teaser without sufficient age-related caution, arguing it could negatively impact women and minors.
What the Commission Asked For
In its communication, the KSWC requested the CBFC to examine the representation as per rules and submit an action-taken report, effectively escalating the matter for formal scrutiny.
More Complaints Add Heat
Separately, reports also mention a complaint by social activist Dinesh Kallahalli, who objected to the teaser’s explicit visuals and sought action under applicable provisions.
The CBFC Clarification Angle
A key nuance in this controversy: reports quote CBFC sources saying online teasers circulated on social media do not require CBFC certification and that promotional material for the film has not been submitted to the board yet—adding a procedural layer to what is otherwise a public-outcry story.
The Film Context
Toxic is directed by Geetu Mohandas and is slated for a March 19 theatrical release. The teaser moment under criticism—an intimate sequence juxtaposed with violence—has been at the centre of the online backlash.
-By Manoj H