The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday registered a formal complaint with the Karnataka State Women’s Commission (KSWC), objecting to alleged obscene and explicit and analysis scenes in the teaser of the Kannada film ‘Toxic’, starring actor Yash, and seeking appropriate action.
Leaders from the women’s wing of AAP’s Karnataka unit met officials of the commission and submitted a written representation, alleging that the teaser content harms social values and negatively impacts women and children.
What did the AAP letter submit
In the complaint letter, AAP state secretary Usha Mohan claimed that the scenes showcased in Toxic’s teaser had been released in the public domain without any age-related warning and were inappropriate in nature.
“The obscene and explicit content in the teaser of this movie is causing serious harm to the social well-being of women and children. These scenes degrade the dignity of women and insult Kannada culture,” the letter stated.
The teaser controversy erupted after the makers released the first look of Yash on January 8, coinciding with the actor’s 40th birthday. The brief teaser introduced Yash’s character ‘Raya’ and marked the actor’s return to the big screen after the blockbuster success of KGF: Chapter 2.
AAP seeks removal of teaser from all social media platforms
Maintaining that such teasers which are released in public domain without appropriate age warnings can have an “adverse impact on society, particularly on minors”, the party urged the commission to intervene immediately and direct the state government authorities to ban the teaser and remove it from social media platforms.
The women’s wing further appealed to the commission to take urgent steps to “uphold the cultural and moral values of the state”.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film marks Yash’s first big project since the blockbuster success of ‘KGF: Chapter 2′ in 2022. KVN Productions, which produced Jana Nayagan starring Vijay, is backing Toxic.
The film, scheduled for release on March 19 features several big names from the industry in its cast including Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Kiara Advani, and Rukmini Vasanth in pivotal roles.
Internet remains divided on the teaser
Following the release of the teaser, a swarm of social media users raised objections with the film’s teaser where they accused the director of ‘objectifying women’ and questioned her previous statements on the matter. Whereas another section of netizens strongly defended the teaser and the film’s team and advocated for viewing a movie ‘just as a movie.’
The film’s technical crew includes Rajeev Ravi on camera work, Ravi Basrur on music, and Ujwal Kulkarni on editing.
(With inputs from PTI)