Kiara Advani has opened up about her experience working on Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, saying the film pushed her to embrace unfamiliar situations and take on challenges outside her comfort zone.
The actor’s comments come as Geetu Mohandas’ upcoming film continues to attract attention and criticism following the release of its teaser and the song Tabaahi, which features Advani alongside Yash.
While the film has generated debate online, Advani has focused on what she learned from playing her character, Nadia.
Kiara Advani on playing Nadia in Toxic
Advani recently shared a behind-the-scenes photograph from the making of Toxic on Instagram. In the picture, the actor can be seen wearing a T-shirt and tights while balancing on the edge of a large bowl-like structure, apparently during a rehearsal or shoot.
Reflecting on the experience, Advani wrote that films can take performers into worlds they have never experienced before.
“Films have a beautiful way of making us step into worlds we’ve never known, sometimes quite literally,” she wrote.
She went on to explain that each new character, set and challenge had taught her something about her own capabilities.
“This one taught me to be comfortable with the unfamiliar, to stay curious, to keep learning and to find joy in the adventure of it all,” Advani said.
For the actor, taking on unfamiliar challenges has become part of personal and professional growth.
“Because growth, for me, has always been about saying yes to the things that scare you a little… and loving the journey that follows,” she added.
She concluded her post by celebrating “new skills, new adventures” and the passion that keeps her willing to take on fresh challenges.
Toxic faces criticism amid growing attention
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has been the subject of considerable online discussion since the release of its teaser.
The film has also faced criticism surrounding the presentation of its characters and some of the material shown in its promotional campaign. The release of Tabaahi, featuring Yash and Advani, further intensified the conversation around the project.
Against that backdrop, Advani’s comments offer a different perspective on the production, focusing on the physical and creative demands of making the film rather than the controversy surrounding its promotional material.
Yash defends Kiara Advani
Yash, who stars opposite Advani in Toxic, has also addressed criticism surrounding their characters and the film.
During an appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, Yash responded after the host made a remark about Advani’s costumes in the film.
The actor rejected the framing and stressed that the scenes should be understood in the context of the characters they portray.
“No, that’s wrong, this is about two characters, Raya and Nadia,” Yash said.
He explained that Raya and Nadia are characters who are deeply in love and that certain scenes were intended to communicate their relationship.
“They love each other a lot. They do it in such a way that they don’t care about the world. To show that, we need to shoot such a scene,” he said.
Yash also pointed out that performing physically demanding or intimate scenes can make actors conscious of their appearance and performance.
He urged audiences to view the performers as the characters they are portraying rather than judging the actors solely through the scenes themselves.
Yash praises Kiara’s commitment to the film
Yash has also spoken positively about Advani’s professionalism and dedication during the production.
At the launch of the film’s trailer, he described the role as demanding and said he had initially been concerned about the physical requirements involved.
However, he praised the commitment Advani brought to the project.
Yash said that even while she was pregnant, Advani continued to approach the work with complete dedication, adding that both he and director Geetu Mohandas had been concerned about her wellbeing during the demanding production.
His comments highlighted the physical challenges involved in making the film and his respect for Advani’s professionalism.
Who stars in Toxic?
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups features a large ensemble cast led by Yash and Kiara Advani.
The film also stars Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the project has generated significant anticipation because of its unusual visual world and Yash’s return to the big screen following his previous major success.
Advani’s portrayal of Nadia is also attracting attention as the actor takes on a role in a film that combines action, drama and fantasy elements.
Kiara Advani embraces a new challenge
Advani’s latest comments suggest that the demanding nature of Toxic was part of the attraction for her.
Rather than describing the experience simply through the lens of the criticism surrounding the film, she has emphasised learning new skills, adapting to unfamiliar environments and accepting challenges.
For an actor, stepping into a physically and creatively demanding production can involve extensive preparation, rehearsal and adjustment. Advani’s remarks indicate that the experience offered her an opportunity to push beyond familiar territory.
As the release approaches, audiences will get to see how those choices translate on screen.
Toxic release date
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is scheduled to release in theatres on August 26.
With Yash and Kiara Advani leading the cast and Geetu Mohandas directing, the film remains one of the closely watched upcoming releases in Indian cinema.
The continuing discussion around its teaser, songs and characters has already created substantial public interest. Whether that controversy translates into audience response at the box office will become clearer after the theatrical release.
