Rocking Star Yash has spoken warmly about his connection with Telugu cinema, revealing some of the films and filmmakers he has admired over the years. During the Hyderabad promotions for Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, the Kannada star named films including Baahubali, Magadheera, Pokiri, Pushpa, Kick and OG while discussing the strong bond between Telugu cinema and audiences in Karnataka.
As Yash prepares for the worldwide release of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, the actor has been travelling across cities to promote the highly anticipated action thriller. During a promotional event in Hyderabad, he was asked about his favourite Telugu films and used the opportunity to acknowledge the influence and popularity of Telugu cinema in Karnataka.
The actor’s response highlighted not only individual films he enjoys but also the longstanding relationship between Kannada and Telugu-speaking audiences.
Yash Says Karnataka Has Always Loved Telugu Cinema
During the event, anchor Suma asked Yash to name some of his favourite Telugu films.
Rather than choosing just one or two titles, the actor explained that he had watched a large number of Telugu films over the years.
Yash also pointed to the close relationship between Karnataka and Telugu cinema.
“There are many films, sir. I have watched a lot of films. Back then for me… I think in Bangalore, in Karnataka, you need to understand—we love Telugu films in Karnataka. We have always been supportive.”
His comments reflect the long-standing circulation of Telugu films among audiences in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru and other areas where South Indian cinema frequently crosses linguistic boundaries.
Baahubali and Magadheera Made Yash’s List
Among the Telugu films Yash mentioned were two of SS Rajamouli’s landmark productions: Magadheera and Baahubali.
Both films became significant milestones in the evolution of large-scale Indian cinema.
Magadheera, starring Ram Charan and Kajal Aggarwal, established Rajamouli’s reputation for mounting ambitious period and fantasy stories on a grand scale.
Years later, Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion took that ambition to a much larger national and international audience.
Yash’s appreciation for Rajamouli’s films is particularly interesting given his own journey with the KGF franchise, which similarly helped expand the reach of Kannada cinema beyond its traditional market.
Mahesh Babu’s Pokiri Also Gets a Mention
Yash also named Pokiri, the 2006 action film starring Mahesh Babu and Ileana D’Cruz.
Directed by Puri Jagannadh, the film became one of the defining commercial Telugu films of its era and went on to influence the action-entertainer template across South Indian cinema.
For Yash, who has himself become closely associated with action-driven commercial films, Pokiri represents another influential Telugu title.
Yash Mentions Allu Arjun’s Pushpa
More recently, Yash said he enjoyed Allu Arjun’s Pushpa, directed by Sukumar.
The actor specifically brought up the film while explaining how closely he has followed Telugu cinema.
“I think I have liked so many films, recently Pushpa. I think I have seen every hero’s film,” Yash said.
Pushpa: The Rise became a major pan-India success, with Allu Arjun’s portrayal of Pushpa Raj becoming one of the film’s defining elements.
Yash’s mention of the film also underlines the increasingly interconnected nature of contemporary South Indian cinema, where Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam productions regularly reach audiences across India.
Pawan Kalyan’s OG Finds a Place on the List
Yash also mentioned OG, the Pawan Kalyan-led Telugu action film.
The inclusion attracted attention because the project was among the contemporary Telugu titles brought up by the actor during the discussion.
Yash did not restrict his choices to a particular period or genre. Instead, his response moved between major historical epics, action entertainers and newer pan-India productions.
He Also Remembers Kick
Another film Yash mentioned was Kick.
The Telugu action-comedy, directed by Surender Reddy and starring Ravi Teja, became known for its energetic commercial style and comic-action combination.
By mentioning titles such as Kick alongside Baahubali, Pokiri and Pushpa, Yash offered a broad snapshot of the Telugu films that have stayed with him.
“We Have Loved Every Hero”
Yash also praised the actors of Telugu cinema and spoke about the affection audiences in Karnataka have shown toward them.
“I think we have loved every hero, we have celebrated every actor,” he said.
The statement was particularly relevant during his Hyderabad promotional appearance, where Yash was speaking directly to Telugu audiences ahead of Toxic.
The actor also used the event to express his gratitude for the support he received after KGF.
Yash Thanks Telugu Audiences for Supporting KGF
Yash acknowledged that the success of the KGF films was supported by audiences well beyond Karnataka.
He said that after the success of KGF, his workload increased significantly, leaving him with fewer opportunities to personally thank Telugu audiences for their support.
According to Yash, the encouragement he received from the Telugu-speaking audience gave him considerable strength.
His remarks are significant because the KGF franchise played an important role in establishing Yash as a pan-India star.
The films demonstrated that a Kannada-language production could develop a substantial following in markets far beyond its home territory.
Toxic Brings Yash Back to the Big Screen
Yash is now preparing for the release of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film features Yash in a new action-oriented role and has generated considerable anticipation because of its large ensemble cast.
The film stars Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth and Huma Qureshi in important roles alongside Yash.
The project is expected to combine crime, action and drama within a story set against a distinctive period backdrop.
For Yash, Toxic also represents his first major theatrical release following the enormous popularity of the KGF franchise.
A Pan-India Star Returning With a New World
Yash’s Hyderabad appearance carries an added significance because Toxic is being positioned as a multilingual theatrical release.
His comments about Telugu cinema demonstrate the mutual relationship between the actor and the audience in the region.
While Yash emerged as one of Kannada cinema’s biggest stars through KGF, Telugu audiences played an important role in embracing his work during the franchise’s pan-India expansion.
His decision to acknowledge films from different generations of Telugu cinema—from Magadheera and Pokiri to Pushpa and OG—also offered a glimpse into the influences and viewing habits of an actor who has become increasingly associated with Indian commercial cinema.
Toxic Release Details
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is scheduled to release worldwide on August 26, 2026.
The film is directed by Geetu Mohandas and stars:
- Yash
- Nayanthara
- Kiara Advani
- Tara Sutaria
- Rukmini Vasanth
- Huma Qureshi
With the release approaching, Yash’s appreciation for Telugu cinema adds another layer to the promotional campaign. More than simply naming favourite films, his comments underline how audiences across South India have increasingly embraced cinema beyond language boundaries.
