CHENNAI: Geetu Mohandas-directed Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has secured a record Rs 120-crore deal even before its theatrical release. Sri Venkateswara Creations (SVC), headed by producer Dil Raju, has acquired the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana theatrical rights of the Yash-starrer, making it the biggest-ever acquisition for a non-Telugu origin film in the region.
How the Andhra-Telangana theatre rights deal for Toxic was sealed
According to a release, three major distributors were in the race to acquire the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana rights of Toxic. After multiple rounds of negotiations, SVC emerged successful and sealed the deal with the film’s producers, KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations.
The film, starring 'Rocking Star' Yash, has been generating strong pre-release buzz across markets, especially in the Telugu states, where the actor enjoys a wide fan following, especially after the two KGF films. Trade experts said the deal reflects the strong confidence distributors have in Toxic's scale and box-office potential.
What are the reasons behind high market confidence for Yash's Toxic?
Trade analysts point out that a four-year gap since Yash’s last theatrical release (K.G.F: Chapter 2) has added to the anticipation around Toxic. The project is also seen as a major pan-Indian release, with interest coming in from multiple territories beyond Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Commenting on the record deal, Dil Raju of Sri Venkateswara Creations said, “Yash stands as a formidable titan of Indian cinema, and post KGF 2, his market has only grown stronger across the world...With a four-year wait, the buzz and expectations around this film are massive."
All you need to know about Yash's Toxic
Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups is written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Moothon fame Geetu Mohandas. Starring Yash in the lead, Toxic has a large female cast: Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth.
The film has been shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam. The film features cinematography by Rajeev Ravi, music by Ravi Basrur, editing by Ujwal Kulkarni and production design by TP Abid.
Action sequences have been choreographed by Hollywood stunt director JJ Perry, along with Anbariv and Kecha Khamphakdee.
Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2026, coinciding with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa.
Meanwhile, the film's teaser, which was released on Yash's birthday on January 8, has drawn the ire of women's groups, over intimate scenes featuring the hero with a foreign actor.