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Have you heard? Anurag Kashyap defends Yash's Toxic amid backlash
Updated On: 02 February, 2026 08:23 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist Team
Anurag Kashyap came out in support of Yash’s Toxic amid teaser backlash, calling the criticism “cultural hypocrisy”. He said male machismo is accepted, but women celebrating sexuality are judged, and praised Geetu Mohandas’s film as a bold, courageous attempt

Yash in the teaser of ‘Toxic’; (right) Anurag Kashyap
Kashyap calls out cultural hypocrisy
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has defended Yash’s upcoming film ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups’ amid backlash over its teaser, calling the criticism a reflection of “cultural hypocrisy”. Speaking at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival, the director said, “When male actors appear shirtless or display machismo, no one questions it. But when a woman celebrates her sexuality, it becomes hard to accept.” Kashyap further described Geetu Mohandas’s directorial venture as “an extremely courageous attempt”. Unveiled on January 8, the teaser had drawn criticism for an intimate scene featuring a woman, with the Women’s Commission also expressing concerns.
Serving nostalgia
Stills from ‘Devdas’, ‘Tere Naam’ and ‘Yuva’. Pics/Yogen Shah, Instagram, Youtube, Facebook

