Toxic: Is Yash ghost-directing the period gangster drama? Power imbalance or team work at play

One of the most awaited movies of 2026 is Toxic. After the super duper success of the KGF series, Yash will be back with a period gangster drama. He is also the co-producer of the movie. Toxic is coming in theatres on Eid 2026. The movie grabbed headlines from the day of the announcement. Of late, there have been rumours of how Yash is re-directing some portions of the film because he was not happy with the output. Geethu Mohandas is the award-winning director of the movie. She affirmed that she is not someone who believed in a bound script, and always has space for improvisation. Cinema buffs are wondering if this was an indication that the movie was being re-worked. Toxic also stars Nayanthara and Kiara Advani.

A case of power imbalance?

These reports have ignited a debate on how much say does a filmmaker actually have in a film. Stories of how superstars dictate terms are not unheard of in Bollywood or the South Indian film industry. Geetu Mohandas has a credible body of work behind her. Netizens are questioning Yash’s decision to get involved in film direction. Some opined that a film gets harmed when actors behave in such manner. Troll comments were directed at Yash saying that he thought of himself as some Martin Scorsese.

Actors’ contribution in Indian films – a quick look

Yash has been credited as one of the co-writers of the film. In Bollywood, we have many writers who chip in with dialogues. One of the examples is Sonu Sood. He has written the most memorable line from the Dabangg franchise till date. Even Salman Khan has a flair for dialogues. Aamir Khan is known to be deeply involved in all his projects right from the scripting stage to the promotions. Shah Rukh Khan who has a deep interest in VFX pays special attention to the technical aspects of his film. As per some media reports, Yash wrote some of the lines of KGF.

A collaborative approach

There are many filmmakers who have spoken about how working with a superstar hampered their initial vision for a movie. One of the prime examples is that of Aanand L Rai after the debacle of Zero. Even for Toxic, there are reports that Yash has increased the action sequences. We know that John Wick’s stunt choreographer JJ Perry is working with the team on the Mumbai schedule. Many would say it is better to have an involved actor than get someone who does just the bare minimum. We have many actors who carry the baggage of being termed as ‘lazy’, ‘disinterested’ and ‘influencer type’.

Yash is also under pressure to live upto the legacy of the KGF films. His core fans and new admirers will expect something as larger-than-life as Rocky Bhai. While critics might have varied views on his acting skills, masses are in love with his machismo and charisma. The KGF movies might have propelled Yash to nationwide stardom but he was active in the industry since a while. He knows that an actor is as relevant as his last film.

Superstars being too involved in a film with a capable filmmaker holding the reigns will always be a contentious issue. It also absolves a director of his mistakes when a movie tanks.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of IndiaForums.com, its editors, or its affiliates. Readers are encouraged to form their own views.