New Delhi: Yash’s mother, Pushpa Arun Kumar, has spoken out against the criticism surrounding Toxic, alleging that efforts are being made to damage her son’s
career. Her comments come as the film faces mixed reactions and a challenging run at the box office.
Pushpa also hit back at a 2023 remark by producer Allu Aravind, who had said Yash was not a known star before KGF turned him into a national name. According to his mother, the actor’s success was the result of years of work in the Kannada film industry rather than something that happened overnight.
Yash’s mother recalls his pre-KGF career
Pushpa stressed that Yash had already established himself as a successful actor in Karnataka before KGF: Chapter 1 and KGF: Chapter 2 took him to a wider audience.
Defending his standing before the blockbuster franchise, she said, “Yash is not some random terrorist. He was already a successful star in Karnataka before KGF and has delivered several hit films that proved his popularity.”
She also pointed to the years Yash spent working before the KGF films changed the scale of his popularity.
The actor came from a family without established links to the film industry. His mother was a homemaker, while his father worked as a bus driver. Yash eventually built his career in Kannada cinema before making a national impact with KGF.
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Pushpa alleges targeted campaign against Toxic
The criticism surrounding Toxic has extended beyond the film itself, with its promotional material and clips also attracting criticism over their violent and explicit content.
Pushpa believes the negative response goes beyond ordinary audience reaction. She alleged, “Some are intentionally trying to suppress my son’s career and spreading propaganda against Toxic.”
Her comments come amid debates among fans over the film’s performance and the criticism it has received since its release.
Toxic faces box-office pressure
Toxic opened with strong expectations, helped by Yash’s popularity and advance bookings. However, negative reactions on social media and mixed reviews have reportedly affected its momentum after the initial release.
The film has nevertheless crossed Rs 250 crore worldwide, according to the figures cited in the original report.
Who stars in Toxic
Directed by Geetu Mohandas and produced by KVN Productions, Toxic features Yash alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, Tara Sutaria and Akshay Oberoi.
The film has an A certificate and marks another major release in Yash’s career following the nationwide success of the KGF franchise.
