Toxic teaser: Amid backlash for Yash's bold scene, director Geetu Mohandas opens up on ‘female pleasure’

The teaser of Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups dropped on Thursday, unveiling Rocking Star Yash in a fierce new avatar as Raya and instantly sending fans into a frenzy. Rising from clouds of smoke, gun in hand, Yash’s ruthless confrontation amid a crematorium blast delivered a goosebump-worthy spectacle.

Must Check: ‘Daddy is home!’ Yash finally arrives as Raya with raw swag in Toxic, watch

However, the excitement soon gave way to debate as a daring car sequence featuring Raya and a seductive woman caught the internet’s attention, triggering backlash and heated conversations online.

Mixed Reactions After Teaser Release

While many fans and industry peers applauded Yash’s thunderous return and director Geetu Mohandas’ bold vision, a section of viewers questioned the inclusion of the intimate scene. Several social media users felt it was unnecessary, with some alleging objectification and expressing surprise that the sequence was directed by a woman filmmaker.

The divided reactions turned the teaser into a talking point beyond its action-packed visuals.

Geetu Mohandas Addresses the Backlash

Responding to the criticism, Geetu Mohandas took to Instagram with a subtle yet pointed message. In a joint post with actor Rima Kallingal, the text in the video read, “Chilling while people figure out female pleasure, consent, women playing systems, etc etc.” (sic)

 The post was widely interpreted as the filmmaker’s response to the ongoing discourse surrounding representation and agency in cinema. 

Filmmaker’s Praise for Yash

Earlier, Geetu had showered praise on Yash for his dedication and artistic commitment. In her post, she wrote, “A rare fusion of talent and superstardom is a formidable combination. I am immensely proud of Yash, not just for the performance of Raya the world is yet to witness, but for the discipline, and heart he brought to our film every single day. This is not just a role he performed, it is a chapter he carved into his own artistic legacy.” (sic)

Actress in Bold Scene Identified

After the teaser release, social media buzz suggested that Hollywood actor Natalie Burn appeared in the intimate sequence. Putting an end to the speculation, Geetu clarified that the actress is Beatriz Taufenbach, though she chose not to reveal further details about her role.

Related Story: Toxic: Cemetery girl who introduces Yash’s Raya is not Natalie Burn; Geetu Mohandas solves the mystery

About Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups

Co-written by Geetu Mohandas and Yash, the film features an ensemble cast including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, Akshay Oberoi, and Sudev Nair. Toxic is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026.