Toxic review: Yash brings the fire, but Geetu Mohandas’ ambitious gangster saga gets lost in its own darkness

After four years owing to KGF: Chapter 2, Yash is making a comeback with Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, a film that clearly aims to create its own universe. Filmmaker Geetu Mohandas brings crime, family, violence, and fantasy to the forefront and uses a purposely weird visual language to effectuate a unique expression. Yash is brought in for a role larger than life, fitting quickly into the stereotype that has been created post-KGF.

The film follows the story of Raya who is powerful and feared as a gangster. His evolution is linked with the relationship with his sister Ganga (played by Nayanthara). Yash plays the character of Ticket as well. Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi and Rukmini Vasanth round out an ensemble that promises much more than what the screenplay eventually delivers.

There is no denying that Toxic looks expensive. Mohandas presents a stylized version of reality that ensures each shot captures the imagination. The set design is lavish, the cinematography magnificent and the action scenes are elaborately choreographed and meant for theater audiences. Yash knows how to command the frame as well. Notably, the introduction and several action sequences have been created for sound applause, not to mention that his physical presence is the biggest asset of the film.

However, after the initial impressive spectacle, it becomes evident that the film lacks something substantial.

The screenplay constantly shifts between different characters, plots, and ideas, leaving them no time to develop. Instead of enhancing the intrigue around the mystery of Raya, the fragmented way of telling the story complicates the narrative and makes it a hard read. The movie keeps adding layers of complexity when emotional loyalty is what it really needs.

It is very frustrating that there are considerable ideas hidden in the chaos. For instance, the connection between Raya and Gangaa has the potential to serve as the movie’s emotional core; moreover, the storyline about Yash in two roles allows Yash to investigate the effects of his character’s world. But in both instances, the viewers do not get enough emotional engagement.

As for the female characters, again, there are missed opportunities. Nayanthara perhaps has the most important role among women; however, her character is also defined by her relation to Raya. Kiara Advani and Tara Sutaria have their moments in the film, yet unfortunately, there is a lack of authenticity in the representation of their characters.

Then, we have the violence. Although Toxic is a brutal expression of film making, its effect eventually wears off through repetition. The actions that once made their presence felt fade away into merely exhausting events especially since they come in before the narrative has really built towards this moment.

Geetu Mohandas should be credited for being bold about his choices. What Yash has done here is, however, to take a little more risk than just the formula commercial fare. Experimental films need more than that, the storyline should hold it together.

Toxic has all the ambition of an epic and the fancy visuals of a dream, but unfortunately, it often forgets to mention an interesting narrative. The action might have its moments, but not enough to lift the film, and the technical departments might do their little bit, but it has taken too long for the film to become what it is to have a lot that has been lost along the way.

Verdict: Toxic is packed with spectacle, but spectacle alone cannot carry a gangster saga this heavy. For Yash fans, there are enough mass moments to cheer for. For everyone else, the film may prove far more exhausting than intoxicating.

Rating: ★½ (1.5/5)