Indian superstar Yash‘s upcoming “Toxic – A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups” is being simultaneously shot in the English and Kannada languages, Variety has confirmed.
The ambitious project is helmed by festival circuit darling Geetu Mohandas (“Moothon”). While the Indian industry routinely dubs films in multiple languages post-production, shooting films in two languages simultaneously is not a common practice due to the costs involved. Notable examples of films shot both in English and an Indian language include “Guide” (1965) and “Shalimar” (1978), which were shot in English and Hindi; and “Nothing But Life” (2004), in English and Malayalam. Indie film “Summer Holidays” (2018) was the last time a film was shot in both English and Kannada.
“Our vision for ‘Toxic’ is to create a film with a narrative that resonates with both Indian and global audiences,” Mohandas said. “It’s the synergy that happens when artistic vision meets the precision of commercial storytelling, transcending borders, languages, and cultural confines. With ‘Toxic,’ we’re crafting a story that will not only entertain but also deeply connect with hearts and minds worldwide.”
The production, which commenced principal photography in August 2024, brings together an international creative team. Hollywood action maestro J.J. Perry, known for the “John Wick” and “Fast & Furious” franchises, is choreographing the action sequences, while BAFTA-winning VFX house DNEG (fresh off their triumph for “Dune: Part Two”) is handling the visual effects.
The film, backed by KVN Productions and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations, has already generated substantial buzz following the release of a first-look video last month.
Producer Venkat K. Narayana said: “Our goal was clear: to create a film with global resonance, and we were driven by conviction in this story and its potential. From the outset, we adopted a full-fledged, all-in approach, recognizing that ‘Toxic’ demanded significant investment. We are committed to delivering a cinematic experience that showcases Indian cinema on a global stage.”
Beyond its original English and Kannada versions, “Toxic” is set for dubbed releases in the Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam languages, ensuring widespread accessibility across the Indian subcontinent while positioning itself for international markets. The dual-language filming process has necessitated extended shooting schedules, contributing to what is one of India’s most expensive productions to date.
