Toxic (2026)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08 · Missing measurements appear as gaps.
A sprawling, multi-decade saga follows a ruthless underworld figure in Goa whose life is haunted by the ghosts of his past and a fractured sense of identity.
The story
Set in pre-Independence Goa under Portuguese rule, the film follows Raya, a powerful and ruthless figure in the underworld. The narrative begins in the 1920s, tracing his journey from a child raised by his sister after their parents' deaths to a man of significant influence. In 1947, Raya and his sister seek revenge against a rival gangster, leading Raya into a life of crime and power. His rise in the underworld leads to complex alliances and romantic entanglements, while his growing influence draws the ire of dangerous enemies. Amidst the turmoil of a changing political landscape, Raya must navigate the treacherous waters of the criminal underworld while dealing with personal betrayals and the consequences of his violent actions.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1920s Goa, Raya is raised by his sister Ganga after their parents' deaths. In 1947, they seek revenge on Fernandez Almeida, leading Raya to become a powerful underworld figure. He enters a relationship with Rebecca, but his power draws the enmity of Elizabeth and her brother, Tony. After a circus attack, Raya discovers Tony's role in a plot and he is forced to take the fall for Elizabeth. Raya falls in love with a circus performer, Nadia, but is pressured into marrying Rebecca. On his wedding night, he learns Nadia is pregnant and plans to kill them; he kills Salvador but is shot by Rebecca. Ganga saves him but is killed by Elizabeth. Raya eventually abandons Nadia and their son. Years later, in the 1960s, he returns to Goa but remains distant. Nadia commits suicide. Later, while intoxicated, Raya nearly loses his son, Ticket, in a car accident. He continues his criminal expansion until he meets and marries Melissa. On the day of her son's birth, he is attacked by assassins, including a vengeful Ticket. It is revealed that Ticket is a split personality of Raya, as the real child died years ago. In a final, hallucinatory confrontation, Raya faces his past and his internal fractured identity, ultimately ending in a state of uncertainty.
- First release year
- 2026
- Runtime (minutes)
- 194
- Production countries
- India
- Original languages
- Kannada; English
- Directors
- Geetu Mohandas
- Writers
- Geetu Mohandas · writer; Yash · writer
- Cast and characters
- Yash · Raya; Kiara Advani · Nadia; Nayanthara; Huma Qureshi; Tara Sutaria; Rukmini Vasanth
- Genres
- psychological thriller; gangster; action; drama
- Themes
- Identity and mental health; The cycle of violence; Impact of power; Father-son relationships; Consequences of past actions
- Tone and mood
- Gritty; Atmospheric; Melodramatic; Violent
- Premise and plot tags
- Period Piece; Gangster Drama; Non-linear Narrative; Multi-generational
- Content notes
- Violence; Sexual Content; Substance Abuse
- Reception
- The film received mixed to largely negative reviews from critics, who praised the performances and action sequences but criticized the pacing, screenplay, and lack of narrative cohesion.
- Reported review scores
- NDTV · score: 3 · scale: 5; The Times of India · score: 3 · scale: 5; Zoom TV · score: 3 · scale: 5; Firstpost · score: 2.5 · scale: 5; IGN · score: 5 · scale: 10; Open Magazine · score: 2 · scale: 5; Rediff · score: 2 · scale: 5; Bollywood Hungama · score: 2 · scale: 5; ABP Live · score: 2 · scale: 5; India Today · score: 2 · scale: 5; The Indian Express · score: 1.5 · scale: 5; Outlook · score: 1 · scale: 5; Hindustan Times · score: 1 · scale: 5; Mid-Day · score: 1 · scale: 5
- Production trivia
- One of the most expensive Indian films ever made; Reportedly budgeted at ₹500–1000 crore; Initially titled Yash 19
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…