Anurag Kashyap Defends ‘Toxic’, Cites Hitler Films to Explain Political Cinema Challenges

Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has come out strongly in support of Yash’s upcoming film Toxic, responding to criticism of its recently released teaser. Speaking at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival, Kashyap described the backlash as “cultural hypocrisy” and cited historical examples to explain the challenges of political and bold cinema today.

’Cultural Hypocrisy on Display’
The teaser of Toxic—released on 8 January—has already garnered over 96 million views on YouTube but faced significant trolling and criticism on social media. Kashyap pointed out that the anger over the film’s intimate “car scene” highlights a double standard: “When actors display masculinity or appear shirtless, nobody complains. But when a woman celebrates her sexuality on screen, society finds it unacceptable.”

The backlash forced actress Beatriz Toffenbach, who appears in the scene, to make her social media accounts private. The Karnataka State Women’s Commission also condemned the teaser for its content.

Political Cinema Faces New Challenges
Kashyap, who directed critically acclaimed films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Black Friday, said that creating such fearless political cinema has become increasingly difficult today. “Some subjects have become politically sensitive, sparking controversy. Directors in countries like Iran and Russia face stricter restrictions yet continue to make bold films. Indian filmmakers should draw inspiration from them,” he added.

Historical Perspective
On making political films in the present day, Kashyap cited Hitler as an example: “Films against Hitler only came after his death. I believe everything has its time, and the same applies to cinema.”

About ‘Toxic’
’Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups’, Yash’s post-KGF 2 project, is a gangster action-thriller co-written with director Geetu Mohandas. Yash plays the lead role of Raya, alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasant, and Tara Sutaria. The film is scheduled for a pan-India release on 19 March 2026, clashing at the box office with Ranveer Singh’s blockbuster Dhurandhar Part 2.