British actor Benedict Garrett, who played a key role in Geetu Mohandas’ Kannada film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, has defended the movie against the criticism it received following its theatrical release. Starring Yash in the lead, the film opened in cinemas on August 26 but faced a largely negative response from critics and sections of the audience. Despite the criticism, the film has reportedly earned around ₹300 crore worldwide, reflecting significant interest in the high-budget project.

Garrett responded to the negativity surrounding the film by urging audiences to form their own opinions rather than relying entirely on reviews. His comments came amid continued debate over the movie’s reception, with viewers and critics expressing differing views about Mohandas’ direction, the film’s storytelling and its overall execution. The actor, who had an important role in the project, sought to encourage people to watch the film themselves before deciding whether the criticism surrounding it was justified.

The actor’s remarks also touched on the question of whether reviews available online should be considered reliable before making a decision about a film. He asked viewers not to judge Toxic solely on the basis of what he described as “paid or genuine” reviews. Instead, Garrett emphasised that audiences have the ability to make their own judgments after watching the movie. His appeal comes at a time when social media discussions and online reviews can significantly influence the public perception of theatrical releases.

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Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups marks another major project for Yash, whose popularity has grown significantly following the success of the KGF franchise. The film was mounted on a large scale and generated considerable anticipation ahead of its release, particularly because of the combination of Yash and director Geetu Mohandas. The movie was positioned as a major Kannada-language release with an ambitious production scale, making its reception an important talking point in the industry after its theatrical debut.

While the film attracted criticism from sections of the audience and critics, its reported worldwide gross of around ₹300 crore indicates that it has continued to draw substantial theatrical business. Box-office performance and critical reception, however, have remained separate aspects of the conversation around the movie. Garrett’s defence adds another voice to the debate, particularly from someone directly involved in the production and therefore familiar with the work that went into bringing the project to the screen.

The actor’s message ultimately placed the emphasis on individual choice, encouraging viewers to watch Toxic and decide for themselves rather than allowing reviews to determine their opinion in advance. With the film continuing to generate discussion over its creative choices, performances and reception, the debate surrounding Toxic is likely to continue beyond its initial theatrical release. Garrett’s comments reflect the broader divide that can emerge when an ambitious film receives a mixed response while still attracting audiences and generating strong commercial interest.

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