The Dark, Ambitious World of Toxic Grows Deeper with a Powerful New Character Reveal
Yash’s Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups continues to shape itself into a bold and evolving cinematic spectacle—one that grows darker, deeper, and more daring with every reveal. Adding a compelling new dimension to its richly layered narrative, the makers have unveiled Rukmini Vasanth as Mellisa, a character defined by grace, authority, and unwavering resolve.
A Striking Collaboration Under Geetu Mohandas’ Visionary Direction
This marks Rukmini Vasanth’s striking collaboration with Yash, brought to life under the distinctive and atmospheric cinematic lens of Geetu Mohandas. Renowned for her intelligence-driven performances and emotional depth, Rukmini’s casting signals a character that seamlessly inhabits the film’s intricate storytelling—one that aligns with Yash’s ambition to craft an Indian film of global scale and universal resonance.
Mellisa Enters an Immersive World of Power, Poise, and Precision
Following the arresting first looks of Kiara Advani as Nadia, Huma Qureshi as Elizabeth, Nayanthara as Ganga, and Tara Sutaria as Rebecca, Toxic further deepens its immersive universe with Mellisa’s introduction. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant, haze-filled party in the late 1960s, Mellisa commands attention with effortless confidence.
Amid the swirling chaos of celebration, her presence is focused and deliberate. With a sharp, piercing gaze and an assured stride, Mellisa navigates the room with quiet dominance—grounded, unflinching, and unmistakably in control, even as the world around her drifts.
Each Reveal Raises the Stakes for One of 2026’s Most Anticipated Films
With every character reveal, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups sharpens its emotional edge and expands its cinematic scale. The film continues to build a richly textured narrative landscape, positioning itself firmly as one of the most anticipated Indian films of 2026.
Geetu Mohandas on Rukmini Vasanth’s Thoughtful Craft
Speaking about Rukmini’s process, director Geetu Mohandas shared,
“What I admire most about Rukmini is her intelligence as an actor. She doesn’t just perform—she processes. She asks questions, not out of doubt but out of curiosity. It pushes me to think deeper and sometimes even question my own choices as a director. Watching her work reminds me that intelligence on screen often lies in what is left unsaid.”
She added,
“Between shots, I often see her quietly writing in her journal, capturing thoughts and small anecdotes from the set. Those moments say a lot about her process. She is constantly building her own inner world. I find her approach incredibly thoughtful, and at times I honestly wish I could steal those pages and read through them—just to understand the mind behind such a layered performance.”
A Global Vision Backed by a Powerhouse Creative Team
Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been filmed simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages—underscoring the film’s global ambition.
The film brings together a formidable technical team, including National Award winner Rajeev Ravi as cinematographer, Ravi Basrur on music, Ujwal Kulkarni on editing, and TP Abid as production designer. High-octane action is choreographed by Hollywood action director JJ Perry (John Wick) alongside National Award-winning duo Anbariv and Kecha Khamphakdee.
Grand Theatrical Release Set for March 2026
Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups is slated for a grand theatrical release on 19 March 2026, coinciding with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa, promising a festive box-office spectacle.
