Indian superstar Yash has claimed prime box office real estate for his upcoming tentpole “Toxic – A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups,” planting its flag on March 19, 2026.
The announcement positions the high-octane actioner to capitalize on a perfect storm of festivities — with festivals Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, and Chaitra Navratri all falling on the release date, and Eid-al-Fitr celebrations following on March 20/21.
The Thursday bow creates a potentially explosive four-day weekend that spans multiple cultural celebrations across the subcontinent, giving “Toxic” runway for a box office blitzkrieg.
Currently, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-anticipated “Love & War,” starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, is due to release on March 20, 2026.
Yash, the Kannada-language film industry actor who rose to pan-Indian stardom with the “K.G.F” franchise, has become one of the most sought-after stars in Indian cinema. Known for his portrayal of Rocky Bhai in “K.G.F: Chapter 1” (2018) and “K.G.F: Chapter 2” (2022) Yash’s transformation into a larger-than-life action hero propelled the films to unprecedented box-office success, breaking language barriers. The second instalment in the franchise is the fifth highest Indian grosser of all time. While the “K.G.F” series cemented his star power, Yash’s early career in Kannada-language films showcased his versatility, with notable performances in projects such as “Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari” (2014) and “Googly” (2013).
“Toxic” is helmed by festival circuit darling Geetu Mohandas (“Moothon”). The ambitious project represents a watershed moment for Kannada cinema, which has been steadily gaining international traction following the “K.G.F” phenomenon. “Toxic” is breaking new ground as the first major Indian film conceptualized, written and shot simultaneously in both the Kannada and English languages — a deliberate strategy to court global audiences while maintaining authentic regional roots.
Dubbed versions in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and additional languages will ensure maximum penetration across various territories. The film represents a joint venture between KVN Productions and Yash’s own Monster Mind Creations, with Venkat K. Narayana sharing producing duties with the star.
