Toxic’s Yash birthday teaser and character intro: Netizens dub director Geetu Mohandas female Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Director Geetu Mohandas is yet again being called out for the portrayal of women in Toxic; netizens say she’s just given Yash his first A rated film
Last Updated: 01.09 PM, Jan 08, 2026
A year ago, when the birthday teaser of Rocking Star Yash’s Toxic came out and featured scantily clad women in a club that the men, including the actor, were getting all handsy with, Malayali audiences, in particular, had called out director Geetu Mohandas’ ‘double standards’. Geetu has been among the vociferous voices against misogyny and toxic masculinity in Malayalam cinema, and yet, the brief visuals from her new film were no better.
Did Geetu Mohandas really direct Toxic? Netizens wonder after latest teaser
Earlier today, the new birthday teaser to introduce Yash’s character Raya came out and if he was seen seductively pouring a drink down a woman’s face in the first teaser, this time, he’s having sex in the back of a car, with the big climax perfectly synced with explosions to disrupt a funeral. Yet again, netizens wasted no time in going after Geetu. “Geetu’s turned into a female Sandeep Vanga Reddy”, said many, while some wondered if she’s really directed the film. There have, after all, been rumours that Yash, besides getting writing credits, has also been ghost-directing Toxic.
Several also urged Parvathy Thiruvothu, Rima Kallingal and other Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) members to ‘review’ the trailer and mocked that they’d probably say that the Toxic teaser is very unlike anything Geetu would do. “Where’s your feminism now?” said netizens about the teaser.
All is not lost yet, with some fans remaining hopeful that the film will be a lot different. “call me delusional but i've still got the feeling that Geetu has made this film as a commentary on toxic masculinity and how typical mass cinema is deeply entrenched in it, and they're just misdirecting us with the promo material,” wrote a netizen.
Toxic FAQs
Q. Who is the director of Toxic A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups?
A. Toxic A Fairy Tale for Adults has been directed by Moothon maker Geetu Mohandas in what is her Kannada debut. She has co-written the film with leading man Yash.
Q. Where to watch Toxic A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups?
A. Toxic will be in theatres on March 19, 2026. A Kannada original film, it will have dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and English as well.