Thought he was mad: Dil Raju on Yash working with Geetu Mohandas for Toxic after KGF

Producer Dil Raju said at the Hyderabad pre-release event of Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups that he was initially unsure about actor Yash teaming up with director Geetu Mohandas after the success of KGF film series. Dil Raju, who is distributing the film in the Telugu states, said he changed his mind after seeing the film’s visuals and understanding Yash’s vision.Speaking about Yash’s choice of director, Dil Raju said, "After KGF, we thought Yash would do something even bigger. But when he introduced Geetu Mohandas, I thought he had gone mad. But after seeing those visuals in Mumbai, I understood his vision. Hats off to Yash."He added, "I would like to thank filmmakers like this who, after Rajamouli garu, are taking Indian cinema to a pan-world level. A film like this is possible only when you have vision and belief. The visuals of this film left me stunned. We are releasing this film in the Telugu states by giving whatever the producers have asked for."Dil Raju also said he was looking forward to working with Yash. He said, "Composer Vishal Mishra said that Toxic will collect Rs 2,000 crore. That is a testament to the entire team’s confidence in this film. I am also waiting to work with Yash garu. I will be looking forward to his announcement." The event also saw Geetu Mohandas speak emotionally about Yash backing her when others doubted her. She said, "This film is a journey fuelled by the same belief and ambition. Yash believed in my dream and carried it on his shoulders. He gave me a chance when everybody doubted me. I will live up to the expectations of fans with Toxic."The period gangster drama, which stars Yash in a double role, explores a strained relationship between a father and his son. Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups is set for a theatrical release on August 26. The film is produced by Venkat K Narayana’s KVN Productions and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. The film also features actors Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi and Rukmini Vasanth in key roles.The film’s promotional material has faced backlash on social media. The teaser for Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups was criticised for its graphic sex scene, while the song Tabaahi led to Kiara Advani being trolled over her intimate scenes with Yash.The trailer also left fans divided, with several viewers criticising the portrayal of women in the film. Addressing the backlash at the pre-release event, Yash said that "the girls will have a blast" watching the film.- EndsPublished By: Anurag BohraPublished On: Aug 23, 2026 20:24 IST