The upcoming film “Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups” is shaping up to be one of the biggest and most ambitious pan-India projects ever made. Scheduled for a grand release on 19 March 2026, coinciding with the Ugadi festival, the film will hit theatres in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and English, making it a truly global Indian cinematic experience.
With a star-studded cast and massive production scale, Toxic has reportedly crossed a ₹500 crore budget, a large portion of which has gone into actor remunerations, visual effects, grand sets, and high-octane action sequences. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the gangster drama is set between the 1940s and 1970s, and features Kannada superstar Yash in a powerful lead role that is already generating massive buzz across the country.
Film Background and Production Details
The film was officially announced in December 2023 under the working title “Yash 19,” marking the actor’s 19th film as a lead. Later, the project was titled Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, reflecting its dark, mature, and stylised narrative tone.
Toxic is jointly produced by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations. Notably, Yash is not just the lead actor but also a producer and co-writer, giving him greater creative control and a significant share in the film’s profits.
Principal photography began in August 2024 on a massive 20-acre custom-built set in Bengaluru. The scale of production is staggering—over 1,000 crew members and nearly 450 actors were involved during various phases of shooting. Renowned cinematographer Rajeev Ravi has handled the visuals, while Hollywood action director J.J. Perry has choreographed the action sequences, lending the film a distinctly international look and feel.
Industry insiders reveal that cast salaries alone account for nearly 20–30% of the total budget, with the remaining expenditure divided among VFX, international-level stunt work, elaborate sets, and marketing.
Also Read-: Who Is Beatriz Taufenbach? The Viral Girl from Toxic Teaser
Main Cast and Their Reported Salaries
Toxic brings together some of the biggest names from South Indian cinema and Bollywood. Below is a detailed breakdown of the principal cast and their estimated fees:
Cast Salary Breakdown
- Yash (as Raya) – ₹50 crore
The undisputed highest-paid actor in the film. Apart from his acting fee, Yash is also expected to earn significantly through profit sharing, making this one of the most lucrative deals of his career after KGF Chapter 2. - Kiara Advani (as Nadia) – ₹15 crore
Kiara reportedly received a massive 114% hike for Toxic. Her strong pan-India appeal and recent box office successes played a major role in her becoming the highest-paid female actor in the film. - Nayanthara (as Ganga) – ₹12–18 crore
Known as the “Lady Superstar” of South cinema, Nayanthara demanded a substantial pay raise for the project, reflecting her long-standing box office pull. - Tara Sutaria (as Rebecca) – ₹2–3 crore
Cast for a glamorous role, Tara charged a relatively modest fee compared to the film’s bigger stars. - Huma Qureshi (as Elizabeth) – ₹2–3 crore (some reports suggest up to ₹6 crore)
Huma plays a dark, negative-shaded character, bringing intensity and versatility to the narrative. - Rukmini Vasanth (as Melissa) – ₹2–5 crore
A rising star in Kannada cinema, Rukmini benefited from being part of a home production with a strong author-backed role. - Tovino Thomas (Special Appearance) – ₹5–8 crore (estimated)
The Malayalam superstar reportedly shot for a limited number of days, justifying his high per-day remuneration. - Akshay Oberoi (Supporting Role) – ₹1–2 crore
- Sudhev Nair (Supporting Role) – Around ₹1 crore
Total estimated cast salary: ₹90–110 crore
Budget Breakdown: Impact of Star Salaries
The massive star fees have played a significant role in pushing Toxic into the ultra-high-budget category:
- Star cast salaries: ₹90+ crore, with Yash alone accounting for nearly half
- Production costs: ₹200–300 crore, including massive sets, international extras, and large-scale song shoots
- VFX and action: ₹150+ crore, largely due to Hollywood-level action choreography
- Marketing and promotions: ₹50–100 crore, with the teaser already garnering millions of views
Overall, the total budget is estimated between ₹500–600 crore, making Toxic one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. To recover costs and turn profitable, trade analysts believe the film will need to earn ₹1,500 crore or more worldwide.
Why Each Star Was Paid This Much
Yash’s ₹50 Crore Deal
After the historic success of KGF Chapter 2, Yash’s market value skyrocketed. His fee reflects not just his acting but also his contribution as a producer and creative force behind the project.
Kiara Advani’s ₹15 Crore Leap
Kiara’s sharp rise in remuneration comes after her successful transition into pan-India cinema. Her fee reportedly surpassed Nayanthara’s, which surprised many in the industry.
Nayanthara’s Strong Negotiation
Despite being overtaken by Kiara in pay, Nayanthara’s salary still reflects her stature as one of South India’s most bankable female stars.
Tara Sutaria and Huma Qureshi
Both actresses add glamour and intensity to the film at comparatively controlled costs, making them strategic casting choices.
Other supporting actors, including Amit Tiwari, Darrell D’Silva, and Natalie Burn, are said to have charged between ₹50 lakh and ₹1 crore each.
Release Date and Expectations
The teaser for Toxic was released on Yash’s birthday and received widespread acclaim, with several international critics comparing its visual style to Babylon and The Great Gatsby. Despite its enormous budget and high cast fees, the film’s star power and unique concept position it as a potential 2026 blockbuster.
Interestingly, the OTT rights are yet to be sold, suggesting that the makers are prioritising a long theatrical run to maximise box office revenue.
Disclaimer: All figures mentioned above are based on industry reports and estimates, as official salary details are usually kept confidential.