Director Geetu Mohandas has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding a 'bold scene' in the teaser for her upcoming film, 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups', starring Kannada superstar Yash. The teaser, released on January 8, 2026, to coincide with Yash's 40th birthday, quickly ignited a social media firestorm due to an intimate sequence featuring Yash's character, Raya, and a female co-star in a car, set against a backdrop of violence. The scene drew significant criticism from a section of the audience, who labeled it as objectifying women and inconsistent with Mohandas's previously stated positions on gender representation in cinema. In response to the growing backlash, Mohandas took to her Instagram Stories, sharing a cryptic but pointed message that read, 'Chilling while people figure out female pleasure, consent, women playing systems, etc etc.' This statement was widely interpreted as her artistic defense, framing the scene as a commentary on female agency and experience rather than mere objectification. Further adding clarity, Mohandas also identified the actress in the contentious scene as Brazilian model and actress Beatriz Taufenbach (also known as Beatriz Bach), correcting initial public speculation that it was Ukrainian-American actress Natalie Burn. Reports indicate that the 'Toxic' teaser has garnered record-breaking viewership, highlighting the immense anticipation for Yash's first film since 'KGF: Chapter 2'. The film, co-written by Yash and Mohandas, is described as a gangster drama and is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2026. While some filmmakers like Ram Gopal Varma praised Mohandas's bold vision, the debate continues to provoke discussions on cinematic representation and creative freedom.