The Kannada film industry is rallying behind the Yash-led action film Toxic following its first week in theaters, with several figures expressing public support for the movie despite a divided critical response, according to The Hollywood Reporter India.
The outlet reports that industry insiders have conveyed a widespread sentiment that both the star and the film were hoped to succeed. The comments come as Toxic posted a steady performance on its seventh day of release, crossing the Rs 225-crore mark in India, as detailed by Telegraph India.
The conversation around the film's reception has drawn comparisons to past cinematic debates. Music composer Ajaneesh Loknath, known for his work on Kantara, has urged audiences to watch Toxic in theaters before forming a judgment, likening the discourse to the initial response faced by Aamir Khan's Lagaan, according to Times of India. Loknath advised viewers not to rely solely on reviews but to experience the film directly.
However, not all coverage has been favorable. India Today has published a critical analysis suggesting that Toxic suffered from poor editing decisions, describing the final cut as detrimental to the film's overall impact. Additionally, CNBC TV18 has drawn parallels between Toxic and another recent release, Dhurandhar, questioning whether both films share similar structural or narrative issues.
The mix of commercial success and critical scrutiny has placed Toxic at the center of a wider industry conversation about audience expectations and the role of reviews in shaping a film's legacy. With the movie still in its theatrical run, the coming weeks will show whether strong word-of-mouth can sustain its box-office momentum or if the critical backlash will influence its long-term performance.
