Toxic takedown? YouTubers, influencers receive legal notice over negative reviews

Yash's Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups completed a day in theatres, but the film's release has already sparked a different kind of conversation online. YouTubers and influencers who posted critical reviews of the Yash-starrer appear to have received legal notices from the film's team, raising questions about how far filmmakers can go to control negative content.The development comes days after the producers secured an ex-parte interim injunction from a Bengaluru court restraining the publication or circulation of "false or defamatory content" about the film.YouTubers, influencers get legal noticeYouTuber Suraj Kumar, on Thursday, shared a screenshot of a legal notice he received over his Toxic review. The notice was sent by Bengaluru-based Aiplex Software Private Limited on behalf of KVN-Monster Mind Creations LLP, identified in the communication as the producer and copyright owner of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups.According to the notice, the film's team had identified online content related to Toxic and alleged that it had been “published, circulated, shared, posted and/or otherwise communicated” through digital and online media. Photo credit: X/@Surajkumarrevi1 The URL mentioned in the notice reportedly directs to Suraj's review of the film, which was posted on Wednesday, the day Toxic released. The video remains available at the time of writing.Suraj shared the notice without indicating that he had taken down the review. His caption was simple: “Thank You Team #Toxic For the Legal Notice on My Review.” Similarly, Tamil YouTuber Prashanth Rangaswamy, going by the X handle itisprashanth, received a legal notice. He shared a post on X that read, "Got legal notice from @TheNameIsYash and @KvnProductions for #Toxic review. I thought he is all macho in real life as well. Looks like he is just another rich and influential person ! (sic)."Before the YouTubers, it was an X influencer who was the first one to receive a notice from the makers, hours after his negative review of the film went up on X. His post in Tamil read, "Yennada Court Notice ellam Anupureenga!!! (Why are you sending court notices and all, man?”)What does the notice say?The notice states that Aiplex has been authorised to act on behalf of the producers in matters concerning online content related to Toxic.Its authorisation includes sending legal and takedown notices, making de-indexing and blocking requests, and approaching intermediaries, internet service providers, search engines, domain registrars, social media accounts, hosting providers and other relevant entities.The authorisation is valid from July 13 to September 26, according to the letter shared by Suraj.The notice itself does not necessarily mean that Suraj has been ordered by a court to remove his review. It is a communication from the authorised representative of the film's producers.Aiplex has previously been involved in similar online-content disputes involving films. Telugu YouTuber Sushant, who runs the channel Barbell Pitch Meetings, had earlier accused the company of using copyright strikes and legal notices against critical film reviews during crucial opening-weekend periods.What did the Bengaluru court order say?The legal notices come shortly after the producers obtained an interim court order concerning content about Toxic. According to a PTI report, the Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru passed an ex-parte temporary injunction on August 22, restraining the publication or circulation of false or defamatory content concerning the film.The suit was filed by KVN Productions LLP against several defendants, including X Corp, as well as an unidentified “John Doe” defendant representing unknown individuals. Importantly, the order is temporary and is currently in force only until the next hearing on September 28.The court also specified that the injunction cannot be used for purposes beyond those for which it was granted. It further stated that the injunction would stand vacated without further notice if the plaintiff failed to comply with the conditions imposed by the court. The producers had sought the ex-parte injunction under Order 39, Rules 1 and 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. What is the controversy around Toxic reviews?Toxic released in theatres on August 26 and has received mostly negative responses from critics and audiences. The appearance of legal notices following critical reviews has now added another layer to the film's release-week conversation.There is, however, an important distinction between negative criticism and defamatory or false content. The court's order specifically concerns false or defamatory material, while a legal notice from the producers' authorised representative is not, by itself, a judicial finding that a particular review is defamatory.Toxic has been met with negative responses not just from critics but from the public as well. It also reflected in its box office collection, which dipped from Rs 101 crore nett (gross minus taxes) to approximately Rs 36 crore in India in its second day.Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic stars Yash in dual roles, alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth. The film is produced by Venkat K Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations LLP.For now, the reviews are still online. But with legal notices being sent out during the film's opening days, the conversation around Toxic is no longer limited to what audiences think of the film.- EndsPublished On: Aug 28, 2026 08:31 IST