The teaser of actor Yash’s upcoming film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown Ups has triggered a political and legal controversy in Karnataka, with the women’s wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) filing a complaint over what it has termed “obscene and sexually explicit” content.
The complaint was submitted on Monday to the Karnataka State Commission for Women (KSWC), objecting to scenes in the teaser that was released on January 8. The party has demanded that the teaser be removed from public platforms, arguing that it violates norms of decency and could have a harmful impact on viewers, including minors.
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AAP leaders from the women’s wing met officials of the commission and formally raised their objections, stating that the teaser contains explicit sexual imagery released without any age-related warning.
Commission writes to CBFC, seeks action-taken report
Following the complaint, the Karnataka State Commission for Women wrote to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), requesting the board to examine the content and take appropriate action under existing rules.
AAP state secretary Usha Mohan, in her letter to the commission, said the teaser’s visuals “degrade the dignity of women” and “insult Kannada culture”. She added that releasing such material in the public domain without safeguards could adversely affect children and young viewers.
The commission’s secretary, in a communication to the CBFC, asked the certification body to verify the petition as per rules and submit an action-taken report.
Separately, social activist Dinesh Kallahalli has lodged a complaint with the CBFC, alleging that the teaser contains obscene and morally offensive scenes. In an email addressed to CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi, Kallahalli argued that promotional material such as teasers and trailers also fall under certification norms laid down in the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
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He cited provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and said such content is not protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, as reasonable restrictions apply under Article 19(2). He has sought removal of objectionable scenes and warned of approaching the High Court if action is not taken.
Director Geetu Mohandas had earlier responded to criticism of the teaser, stating that the film engages with themes of consent and female desire, following backlash from sections of social media.
Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown Ups, directed by Mohandas and co-written by her along with Yash, stars Rukmini Vasanth, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, Akshay Oberoi and Sudev Nair. The film is slated for theatrical release on March 19.
