Yash’s Toxic pushed again, actor reveals the reason behind delay despite ‘completion’

After weeks of mounting speculation, the release plans for Toxic have finally been clarified. The much-anticipated pan-India film, headlined by Yash, has been delayed again and will no longer hit theatres on June 4 as scheduled.

Addressing the delay, Yash confirmed that while the film itself is complete, the team is currently focused on locking in global distribution and strategic partnerships. The move, he suggested, is aimed at ensuring the film reaches its “fullest potential worldwide”.

This marks the second time the film’s release has been postponed from its originally planned date. The film was initially slated for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19 and would have clashed with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar 2, which is directed by Aditya Dhar. However, the clash was averted when it was pushed back from its March 19 release to June 4 because of the disruption in the Middle East due to the Iran-Israel conflict.

Explaining the reason behind pushing the film once again, the makers revealed that the decision follows the film’s presentation at CinemaCon, “where it received a strong and encouraging response from global distributors and industry stakeholders”. The film is written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas.

“There are films we make, and then there are films that remind us why we fell in love with cinema. Toxic has been one such journey. Presenting our film at CinemaCon and witnessing the overwhelming global response reaffirmed what we have always believed—that this film deserves to reach its fullest potential worldwide,” read the statement.

Yash continued, “Toxic is complete, and we are currently aligning global distribution and partnerships. In light of this, we have decided to recalibrate our release timeline. While we will not be releasing on June 4 as announced earlier, we will be releasing at a later, globally aligned date. Toxic will come to theatres across the world soon.”

According to Yash, Toxic presents an opportunity for him to showcase Indian cinema on a global stage, and he is keen to take the necessary time to ensure the film reaches audiences worldwide with the impact it is intended to deliver.

Yash explained, “At a time when Indian cinema is finding its voice and stepping onto the global stage with such promise, each of us has a responsibility to raise the bar. As an actor and producer, I see this moment as an opportunity to do my part—for the Indian film industry and for all of us—by taking the time to ensure our film reaches the world with the impact it is meant to have.”

“Through every step and every change, your support has stayed with me, and I carry it with deep gratitude. Some stories ask for patience. Some journeys demand it. We promise to give you a film to enjoy and celebrate—a film that will stand as a proud moment for Indian cinema,” he wrote while concluding the note.

The film ran into controversy when its first teaser was released, with many coming forward to complain about certain scenes, with many dubbing it as “grossly obscene, sexually explicit.” The Women’s Commission slammed its teaser for the depiction of a sex scene, and a Christian group filed a complaint with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and others, claiming that the teaser hurts religious sentiments. Earlier this month, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Dr Jayamala commented on the row and said that the public must not rush to conclusions on the basis of a teaser alone.

The film, announced in 2023, went on the floor in 2024. It was simultaneously shot in Kannada and English. The film will also be released in dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.