Top News

New Delhi: A steamy teaser for Yash’s upcoming film Toxic has sparked huge outrage online. Many called out a graphic sex scene as too bold. But now, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap is hitting back hard.

He says the backlash shows deep cultural double standards in India. Why is it okay for men to go shirtless but not for women to own their sexuality? Kashyap’s bold words at a film festival have everyone talking.

Anurag Kashyap defends Yash’s bold move

Anurag Kashyap strongly defended Yash’s Toxic weeks after its first-look teaser faced heavy criticism for the explicit scene. Speaking at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival, he called the film “an extremely courageous attempt.” The session, titled “Fearless Film Making” and moderated by film critic Baradwaj Rangan, covered cinema, politics, and technology.

Anurag Kashyap pointed out society’s uneven reactions to bold content. He said, “The outrage expressed against the teaser reveals our cultural hypocrisy.” The director highlighted how male actors often appear shirtless or show off machismo without facing questions, but women expressing sexuality draw instant backlash.

 Double standards in Indian cinema

Anurag Kashyap’s comments shine a light on long-standing biases in Bollywood and beyond. “When male actors appear shirtless on screen or display excessive machismo, no one questions it. But when a woman celebrates her sexuality, it becomes hard to accept,” he added during the event. This hypocrisy, he argued, limits bold storytelling in films.

Yash, the KGF star, teams up with director Geetu Mohandas for Toxic, a high-stakes action drama. The teaser promised intense action mixed with raw emotion, but the intimate scene stole the spotlight—and the hate. Fans and critics are divided, with some praising the fearlessness while others demand toning it down.

 Bigger picture for filmmakers

Anurag Kashyap’s support comes amid growing debates on censorship and creative freedom in Indian cinema. Events like the Bengaluru festival give directors a platform to challenge norms openly. As Toxic gears up for release, filmmakers’ words may fuel more discussions on gender equality in on-screen portrayals.

His take encourages filmmakers to push boundaries without fear. Will Toxic change how we view bold content? Only time will tell, but the filmmaker has made his stand clear.