Entertainment Desk:

The makers of the upcoming film Toxic – A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, starring Yash in the lead, have unveiled the first look of Kiara Advani as Nadia. Her look has generated significant attention in both industry circles and among fans. The unveiling comes as the production ramps up for its March 19, 2026, release, positioning itself as a major event on the Indian cinema calendar. The film will debut in theatres during a holiday weekend that includes Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa, aiming to attract a wide audience across linguistic and regional lines.

Advani’s character is introduced through a new poster that sets her against a circus-themed backdrop, hinting at layers of glamour and underlying emotional complexity. The visual suggests a departure from the actor’s previous roles and signals a potentially pivotal moment in her evolving filmography. The production team has emphasised the transformative nature of Advani’s role, adding to anticipation for both her performance and the film as a whole.

Director Geetu Mohandas commented on Advani’s contribution to the project, saying, “Some performances don’t just belong to a film, they redefine an artist,” underlining the significant commitment and depth brought to the character of Nadia. Mohandas further described the actor’s involvement, noting, “What Kiara created on screen in this film is nothing short of transformative. From our very first conversation, she placed an unwavering trust in a character that demanded everything from her – be it emotionally, mentally, and artistically. She didn’t just play the role, she lived it. As a director, I am deeply proud of her and for the performance she has delivered, and for the faith and heart she brought into our shared journey.”

The film, helmed by Mohandas, is regarded as a benchmark for Kannada cinema, which has increasingly gained international attention following the commercial success of the KGF franchise led by Yash. Notably, Toxic is the first major Indian production to be conceptualised, written, and shot simultaneously in both Kannada and English, with additional dubbed versions planned for Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and other languages.

A notable aspect of the film is its technical crew, which includes National Film Award-winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, composer Ravi Basrur, editor Ujwal Kulkarni, and production designer TP Abid. Hollywood action director JJ Perry, known for work on the John Wick series, joins Indian National Film Award-winning duo Anbariv in designing the film’s action sequences. The film is produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations.

Kiara Advani, recognised for her roles in films such as Kabir Singh and Shershaah, has maintained a strong presence in Hindi cinema with projects like Game Changer and War 2. The announcement of her role in Toxic is seen as a significant development in her career, as she takes on a character that promises to showcase new aspects of her acting range within a high-profile pan-Indian project.

Yash, whose previous work in the KGF series propelled him to national recognition, returns to the screen for the first time since KGF: Chapter 2. The announcement of Toxic coincides with the seventh anniversary of the original KGF release, reflecting both the actor’s enduring popularity and the growing ambitions of Kannada-language cinema.