Yash’s upcoming film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has gained a significant early advantage in the Telugu states ahead of its March 19 box office clash with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar: The Revenge (also known as Dhurandhar 2), after securing a massive distribution deal in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Producer Dil Raju’s Sri Venkateswara Creations (SVC) has acquired the AP and Telangana distribution rights of Toxic for ₹120 crore on an advance commission basis. The deal marks SVC’s largest acquisition to date for a non-Telugu-origin film and places Toxic in a strong position in a market known for its high theatrical influence and competitive release dynamics.

Dil Raju said the acquisition reflects Yash’s growing pan-Indian appeal following the success of KGF: Chapter 2. He noted that anticipation for Yash’s next project has been building over the past four years, adding to the buzz surrounding Toxic. The rights were reportedly contested by multiple players, including PVR Inox, before SVC finalized the agreement.

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The deal is seen as strategically significant because of Dil Raju’s strong hold over theaters in the Telugu states. Industry estimates suggest that major players such as Dil Raju and Allu Aravind collectively influence hundreds of screens across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, potentially giving Toxic a smoother and wider release compared to its competitors.

Yash’s previous film, KGF 2, earned ₹137.39 crore in AP and Telangana out of its ₹1,000 crore domestic total, underlining the importance of the region for big-ticket releases. Toxic, shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, will also be dubbed in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi. In contrast, Dhurandhar collected around ₹65 crore in the Telugu states despite releasing only in Hindi, though its sequel is expected to expand into multiple South Indian languages.

While the distribution deal gives Toxic an early edge in the Telugu market, trade observers say the final outcome will depend on audience reception. Toxic is directed by Geetu Mohandas, while Dhurandhar 2 is helmed by Aditya Dhar, setting the stage for a closely watched pan-Indian box office contest.

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