Yash’s ‘Toxic’ faces complaints over ‘intimate’ teaser scene

Kannada superstar Yash’s forthcoming film ‘Toxic’ has landed in controversy after multiple complaints were filed over an “intimate car scene” featured in its recently released teaser.

The teaser, which dropped on January 8, quickly went viral, with viewers speculating about the identity of the actress seen alongside Yash. 

Director Geetu Mohandas later disclosed her identity in an Instagram story, confirming that the actress is Beatriz Taufenbach. Amid mounting online scrutiny and backlash, Taufenbach is reported to have deleted her Instagram account.

According to reports, Beatriz Taufenbach is a Brazilian model and actress who began her career in modelling in 2014 and is also a singer.

The Aam Aadmi Party’s Women’s Wing submitted a formal complaint to the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, objecting to the visuals in the teaser. In its complaint, the party described the scene as ‘obscene’ and ‘explicit’, alleging that it adversely affects the social well-being of women and children and undermines Kannada cultural values.

Following the complaint, the Women’s Commission requested the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take necessary action. However, sources within the CBFC clarified that the teaser was released exclusively on YouTube and therefore does not fall under the board’s jurisdiction. CBFC officials stated that certification is mandatory only for films and trailers intended for theatrical release, while online promotional material on digital platforms remains outside its regulatory domain.

Separately, social activist Dinesh Kallahalli has filed a formal complaint with the CBFC, objecting to what he termed “obscene, sexually explicit, and morally offensive” content in the teaser. 

In a letter addressed to CBFC Chairperson Prasoon Joshi, Kallahalli alleged that the teaser contains scenes that are “grossly obscene, sexually explicit, and vulgar in nature”.

He further alleged that the teaser is being widely circulated on social media platforms without effective restrictions, thereby exposing the general public, including minors, to content that is “legally impermissible and socially harmful”.

Since its release, the teaser has sparked intense debate online. Responding to the criticism in a cryptic Instagram Story, director Geetu Mohandas wrote, “Chilling while people figure out female pleasure, consent, women playing systems, etc., etc.”

While a section of social media users questioned the relevance of the scene in the teaser, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma publicly praised Mohandas for her bold approach.

‘Toxic’ also features Nayanthara, Rukmini Vasanth, Kiara Advani, Huma Qureshi and Tara Sutaria and is scheduled to clash at the box office with ‘Dhurandhar Part 2’ on March 19.