Filmmaker Vignesh Shivan shared a hilarious anecdote about Kiara Advani during the Chennai promotional event for Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The director revealed that he had approached Kiara with a film idea years before Kabir Singh, joking that she was “lucky” not to have accepted the project that eventually became Love Insurance Kompany.
Vignesh’s candid remarks quickly became a talking point at the event, particularly because he poked fun at the eventual box-office performance of his own film while sharing his admiration for Yash.
The filmmaker also spoke warmly about his experience working around the Toxic star, describing Yash as an actor he considers an inspiration and role model.
Vignesh Shivan’s Funny Kiara Advani Confession
During the Toxic promotional event in Chennai, Vignesh Shivan addressed Kiara Advani and recalled meeting her before she became widely recognised for films such as Kabir Singh.
The filmmaker said he had approached Kiara to narrate a story at a time when she was still at an earlier stage of her career.
According to Vignesh, the project eventually became Love Insurance Kompany.
Taking a humorous dig at his own film, he told Kiara:
“Kiara… I remember you… Before Kabir Singh, I met Kiara to narrate a story… I made that film now… It’s called Love Insurance Kompany… You are lucky… You didn’t do it…”
Kiara also joined in the light-hearted exchange, turning the anecdote into one of the more entertaining moments from the promotional event.
From an Early Narration to ‘Love Insurance Kompany’
Vignesh’s comments referred to a much earlier stage in the development of what eventually became Love Insurance Kompany.
Rather than presenting the story as a serious revelation about Kiara’s career, the filmmaker used the opportunity to joke about the project’s eventual commercial reception.
Love Insurance Kompany, starring Pradeep Ranganathan and Krithi Shetty, received a mixed response commercially. Various box-office trackers have reported differing worldwide gross figures for the film, with estimates broadly placing its theatrical earnings in the ₹58 crore to ₹66 crore range.
Vignesh’s self-deprecating comment appeared to acknowledge that the film did not achieve the commercial success he would have hoped for.
His remark also highlighted how dramatically an actor’s career can evolve over time. Kiara eventually became one of Hindi cinema’s prominent leading actresses, while the film she was once approached for went through a substantially different casting journey.
Kiara Advani’s Career Changed Significantly After ‘Kabir Singh’
Kiara’s career took a major leap following Kabir Singh, the 2019 Hindi adaptation of the Telugu film Arjun Reddy.
Her performance opposite Shahid Kapoor significantly increased her visibility across the Hindi film industry.
She subsequently became part of several major commercial productions, including Good Newwz, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, JugJugg Jeeyo, Shershaah and Satyaprem Ki Katha.
Her association with large-scale projects has continued, with Toxic placing her alongside Yash in one of the most anticipated Indian films of 2026.
Against that career trajectory, Vignesh’s comment that she was “lucky” not to have taken his earlier project was clearly delivered in a playful, self-mocking spirit.
Vignesh Shivan Praises Yash
The filmmaker’s comments were not limited to his interaction with Kiara.
Vignesh also spoke extensively about his admiration for Yash, who headlines and produces Toxic.
Describing the Kannada star as an icon and role model, Vignesh explained how meaningful it was for him to spend time around the actor during the project.
“In life, there are certain people who become role models for us, icons. We look up to some people, get inspired and want to do a lot of things. Yash sir is one such icon.”
He went on to describe how he initially hoped simply to spend a day around Yash but eventually found himself getting more opportunities to work with him.
Vignesh said:
“My only thought was, ‘Okay, at least I get one day to be next to him.’ I was so lucky. Then I got one more song, and one more song.”
The filmmaker added that the opportunity to spend extended time around Yash was something he would remember.
“I can never forget that. Thank you so much for being so kind, sir,” he said.
Yash’s ‘Toxic’ Arrives After a Four-Year Gap
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups marks Yash’s return to theatres after the enormous success of the KGF franchise.
The actor’s previous theatrical release was K.G.F: Chapter 2, which arrived in 2022 and became one of the biggest Kannada-language blockbusters in Indian cinema.
Toxic therefore carries substantial expectations, particularly because Yash has chosen to collaborate with filmmaker Geetu Mohandas for his next major project.
The film is expected to explore a darker criminal world and features Yash in a prominent role as Raya.
A Large Ensemble Cast
The film brings together a sizeable ensemble cast.
Alongside Yash and Kiara Advani, Toxic features Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi and Rukmini Vasanth in important roles.
Geetu Mohandas directs the film, while Yash is also associated with its production.
The combination of a major commercial star, a filmmaker known for distinctive storytelling and a large ensemble has made Toxic one of the most closely watched Indian releases of the year.
Vignesh Shivan’s Connection to the ‘Toxic’ Team
Vignesh’s appearance at the Chennai event also carried a personal connection to the project through his relationship with Nayanthara, who stars in Toxic.
The filmmaker and Nayanthara have been married since 2022 and have worked together professionally on several occasions.
His comments about Yash therefore offered a glimpse into the personal excitement surrounding the project from someone who was closely connected to members of its cast and promotional campaign.
When Will ‘Toxic’ Release?
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is scheduled to arrive in theatres worldwide on August 26, 2026.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film stars Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi and Rukmini Vasanth.
With its release approaching, promotional events have increasingly focused on the chemistry among the cast and the scale of Yash’s comeback.
Vignesh Shivan’s playful exchange with Kiara has now added another memorable moment to the campaign—one that combines a glimpse into Kiara’s early career with the filmmaker’s trademark willingness to laugh at his own work.
