Toxic Movie Controversy: Yash Accused of Promoting Misogyny and Sidelining Actresses

The film Toxic, directed by Geetu Mohandas, has sparked a significant controversy regarding its narrative structure and the treatment of its female cast. Despite boasting an ensemble of five prominent actresses—Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria—the film is being criticized for sidelining them in favor of the lead actor, Yash. Yash, who carries the title of Rocking Star, isn't just the protagonist but also the producer and co-writer of the film alongside Geetu Mohandas. This dual role has led to accusations that the script was tailored specifically to amplify his image at the expense of other characters.

The Dominance of Yash and the Marginalization of Actresses

The screenplay of Toxic appears to be meticulously crafted to expand Yash's screen presence at every possible turn. Critics argue that the film promotes a deeply patriarchal mindset. Yash's character, Raya, is depicted as a dominant force in the Goa underworld, characterized by his signature style—a tattoo on his neck, a cigar between his lips, and a glass of alcohol in his hand, while while this is presented as his swag, it results in the hero monopolizing the entire narrative. Raya's character exerts dominance over female characters, showing a blatant disregard for their emotions and sensibilities in the face of his own anger.

It's particularly surprising to many that the director, Geetu Mohandas, is a woman herself, yet the female characters in the story lack proper development, while they're primarily used as tools to evoke sympathy or provide aesthetic value. Despite having 5 leading ladies, they all appear weak and victimized in front of Raya's violent persona. Many of these characters meet an untimely end, ensuring that from the beginning to the climax, only Yash remains the focal point of the story.

Yash in Every Frame: The Rocking Star Image

The film's star cast credits Yash as the Rocking Star, indicating that Toxic was built with the intention of giving him maximum space in every scene. Whether playing the role of a father or a son, Yash occupies the entire narrative space, leaving a mark with his performance, while however, this comes at a high cost. The roles of the 5 actresses—Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi—remain confined to the hero's orbit. These female characters fail to establish their own identities, as their lives and desires are sacrificed for the growth of the main male character, Raya. Some are murdered, some make sacrifices, and others take their own lives in explosions.

Misogyny in Dialogues and Character Traits

The dialogues in Toxic have also come under fire for being derogatory towards women. One specific dialogue spoken by Raya is seen as purely misogynistic, viewing women as objects of consumption, while " This has been criticized for its offensive undertones. Raya is portrayed as a cruel character who has no direction for his revenge and is allergic to morality. His background is rooted in crime; his mother was involved in the underworld and brutally murdered his father. Growing up in such a violent environment, Raya becomes a cold-blooded killer who views men and women equally as targets for his cruelty. He's an illegitimate child who, as an adult, indulges in illegitimate relationships without any love or sensitivity.

The Tragic Fate of Kiara and Nayanthara's Characters

Kiara Advani plays the role of Nadia, a circus artist, while " While this dialogue briefly sparks a sense of love in him, it fails to bring any real change. Raya remains obsessed with becoming the biggest gangster in Goa, aiming to end the rule of the Portuguese gangsters. When Raya refuses to change, Nadia ends her life in an explosion. Thus, Kiara's character is terminated before it can truly expand, despite her delivering a powerful performance in the first half of the film.

Similarly, the character of Ganga, played by Nayanthara, is cut short prematurely, while ganga is Raya's elder sister who gave him a new life and raised him after their parents' death. She's the guide who leads Raya to rule over Goa. However, she's shot and killed by Nadia on the orders of Elizabeth, a mistress in Salvador's gang played by Huma Qureshi. " Nayanthara's character, which had the potential to be very influential, is never allowed to take full shape.

Tara Sutaria and the Remaining Cast

Tara Sutaria portrays Rebecca, the daughter of the gangster Salvador, while despite Raya's relationship with Nadia, he maintains an unethical relationship with Rebecca. Both relationships continue simultaneously until Rebecca is killed in a shootout. This marks the end of another female character before she could evolve. Huma Qureshi plays a negative role as Elizabeth, Salvador's mistress, involved in conspiracies, casinos, and alcohol, eventually becoming a victim of the same world. Rukmini Vasanth plays Melissa, Raya's second wife and mother to his son, Adam. Melissa lives in constant fear of Raya's violent nature and tries to keep her son away from him. A dialogue in the film states, "Imaginary loyalty is much more sacred than real betrayal," reflecting a story filled with deception where all female characters ultimately become victims.