Kantara composer Ajaneesh defends Toxic, says Lagaan too could be called boring

Music composer Ajaneesh Loknath has come out in support of Yash and Geetu Mohandas’ Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups amid the mixed to negative response to the film. The composer, known for his work on films including Kantara and Maharaja, urged audiences to watch the film themselves rather than forming an opinion based solely on reviews.In a long note on X, Ajaneesh said he watched Toxic and enjoyed it, while particularly praising Yash’s performance. “Don't just read reviews. Experience cinema. I watched Toxic, and I liked it,” he wrote. He added that audiences should watch the film in theatres because cinema is a personal experience and individual reactions can differ significantly.Ajaneesh also asked audiences to consider the impact of their opinions on the people who work on a film. “Be responsible before you judge. When a film doesn't do well, it is not only the producer or the actors who suffer. Hundreds of technicians and crew members, who work incredibly hard, are also affected for many years,” he wrote.The composer said that while some aspects of Toxic did not work for him, they did not affect his overall opinion of the film. “About Toxic: I really liked the attempt and especially Yash's performance. I truly appreciate him for choosing this kind of character and story. Yes, there are a few small things that didn't work for me, but they are easily ignorable. Overall, it's a very good film,” he wrote. Ajaneesh then drew a comparison with Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan, starring Aamir Khan. Without naming the film, he imagined how the 2001 classic might have been received if it had been released in the current era of social media and instant reviews. He referred to watching the trailer of a “great film” released 25 years ago and said that, if it came out today, some viewers might describe it as “lag” or “boring” and reduce its entire story to a cricket match between India and the British. The composer suggested that such reactions could potentially prevent audiences from experiencing a great film. “We might have missed a truly great film just because of irresponsible opinions,” he wrote.Lagaan was originally released on June 15, 2001, and was directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The Aamir Khan-starrer was re-released in theatres on June 12 for its 25th anniversary.Ajaneesh concluded his note by reiterating that reviews should not replace an individual’s experience of watching a film. “Reviews are opinions, not your experience. If a film interests you, go to the theatre, watch it yourself and then form your own opinion,” he wrote. He also expressed his appreciation for KVN Productions, Yash and the entire cast and crew of Toxic, before urging audiences to watch the film and decide for themselves.Toxic, a gangster drama directed by Geetu Mohandas and co-written and produced by Yash, was released in theatres on August 26. The film stars Yash in a dual role, alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth. At the box office, Toxic collected an estimated Rs 7.45 crore nett in India on Day 6, according to Sacnilk. The figure represented a 67.6 per cent drop from its Sunday collection of Rs 23 crore. The film has crossed Rs 304.05 crore worldwide, with an India nett collection of Rs 221.55 crore and an India gross of Rs 264.80 crore.As the conversation around Toxic continues to build, Ajaneesh’s defence adds another voice to the discussion surrounding the film’s reception. Whether the positive word of mouth can help the film sustain a longer theatrical run, or whether the initial mixed-to-negative response will continue to affect its box-office performance, remains to be seen.- EndsPublished By: Sanjay Ponnappa CSPublished On: Sep 1, 2026 15:37 ISTMUST WATCH: