Yash’s ‘Toxic’ Reveals Dark New Character Raya on His Birthday

Marking the birthday of pan-Indian star Yash, the makers of Toxic – A Fairytale for Grown-Ups have unveiled a striking character introduction video that presents Yash as Raya, the film’s central figure. The reveal offers the most detailed look yet at the actor’s role and signals a gritty, action-heavy tone for the upcoming multilingual project.

A Strategic Character Rollout

The birthday reveal follows a carefully planned promotional strategy. Ahead of Yash’s introduction, the production spotlighted its female ensemble, featuring Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria. By establishing the film’s character-driven world first, the makers positioned Raya as the narrative anchor around which the ensemble revolves.

A Gritty First Impression

The newly released video opens in a cemetery, setting an ominous tone before erupting into chaos. Gunfire breaks the silence as Raya emerges through smoke, wielding a tommy gun. The sequence underscores a darker aesthetic and hints at the film’s large scale and visual ambition. This footage expands on brief glimpses released during Yash’s birthday last year, offering a clearer sense of the film’s action-driven universe and cinematic language. The visual style suggests a blend of stylized violence and atmospheric storytelling aimed at global audiences.

Yash’s Most Ambitious Role Yet

In Toxic, Yash serves not only as lead actor but also as co-writer and co-producer. The project represents a phase of creative experimentation for the star, who is exploring international storytelling frameworks while retaining strong regional roots.

Yash rose to nationwide fame with the K.G.F: Chapter 1 and K.G.F: Chapter 2 franchise, where his portrayal of Rocky Bhai transformed him into a larger-than-life action icon. K.G.F: Chapter 2 went on to become one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, breaking language and market barriers. Before K.G.F., Yash built a diverse body of work in Kannada cinema with films such as Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari and Googly, showcasing his range beyond action roles.

A Globally Oriented Production

Written by Yash and director Geetu Mohandas, Toxic – A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been shot simultaneously in Kannada and English. Dubbed versions are planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and additional languages, underlining its pan-Indian and international ambitions. The technical team includes National Award-winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, composer Ravi Basrur, editor Ujwal Kulkarni and production designer T.P. Abid. Action sequences are choreographed by Hollywood stunt expert J. J. Perry, known for his work on John Wick, alongside Indian action directors Anbariv and Kecha Khamphakdee.

Release Plans

Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic – A Fairytale for Grown-Ups is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19. The date coincides with major festivals including Eid, Ugadi and Gudi Padwa, positioning the film for a strong global opening.