Yash’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups had earlier received an 18+ rating in the UK, with the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) giving the film its highest ratings for violence, sex and injury
detail. In the latest update now, Toxic has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Geetu Mohandas-directorial has received no cuts and just two small modifications. Toxic is all set to release in theatres on August 26, 2026.
Toxic has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with an ‘A’ certificate and no cuts, despite being packed with violent and mature content. The film, which has been shot in Kannada and English, runs for 3 hours and 12 minutes, according to its CBFC certificate. The board has asked the makers to mute and replace two words and phrases in the Kannada version, with corresponding changes made to the English subtitles. The required anti-smoking and anti-drinking warnings will also be included.
Other than these minor changes, the CBFC has not asked the makers to remove any scenes from Toxic. The ‘A’ certificate means the film will be restricted to adult audiences when it releases in theatres.
The certification has become a talking point because of the film’s intense violence and adult themes. Social media users have been comparing the decision with the treatment of other films and questioning why certain kinds of content attract cuts while others do not.
Yash had already warned audiences that Toxic is not a film for children. The actor, who is also a co-writer on the project, has said that the film deals with a mature subject and that adult viewers can decide for themselves what they take from its story. Appearing on Aap Ki Adalat, the actor had said, “Children shouldn’t watch this film. They should stay at home. It hasn’t been made for children, and that’s very clear. Adults know what is right and wrong. They can choose what they want to see, what they want to learn from the film, and what they don’t want to do in life. But the film is very genuine and has a deep story.”
Toxic escaping cuts from the CBFC has amused many online, especially given that Dhurandhar, another violent action film, underwent several cuts before its release. The contrast has become even more striking because UK censors have reportedly demanded multiple cuts to Toxic, more than those sought for Dhurandhar. “Isn’t this film being considered far more violent than Dhurandhar? How come there were more cuts in Dhurandhar than this one?” one Reddit user questioned.
Taking a swipe at the CBFC, one Reddit user wrote, “CBFC goes blind when it comes to women being objectified.” Another pointed to the board’s decision to remove a consensual kissing scene from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, joking, “They have a problem with Spiderman kissing only….that’s harmful for our culture lol.” Another user added, “There was no kiss, so no cuts were needed. CBFC has clear priorities.”
Meanwhile, the BBFC has rated Toxic 5/5 for violence, sex and injury detail. It has also received 4/5 ratings for threat and horror, language, drugs, sexual violence and sexual threat, and suicide and self-harm. The film has a runtime of 191 minutes and 41 seconds in the UK. Interestingly, the BBFC has categorised Toxic as a Tamil film instead of Kannada, despite the movie being shot in Kannada and English. The BBFC describes the film as a story in which “the leader of a powerful drug cartel in Goa sows the seeds of his own destruction.”
Toxic also stars Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.
