KOCHI: Ever since the high-octane title announcement teaser of Geethu Mohandas’s upcoming directorial Toxic—starring Kannada superstar Yash—was released, the internet has been abuzz with one question: Who is the actress in the viral, bold sequence?

The brief but striking appearance of a woman alongside Yash in a car, set against a backdrop of violence and gunfire, triggered intense debates on social media. Initially, fans and several media outlets speculated that the actress was Hollywood star Natalie Burn (The Expendables 3, Mechanic: Resurrection). The rumors gained traction after Natalie herself shared updates about the film on her Instagram.

Director Clears the Air

Addressing the widespread confusion and the "double standards" allegations leveled against her, director Geethu Mohandas has officially set the record straight. Taking to Instagram, Geethu clarified that the actress in the teaser is Beatriz Taufenbach, not Natalie Burn. While Natalie is reportedly part of the project, she is not the woman featured in the viral "car scene."

The Controversy: Creative Freedom vs. Political Correctness

The teaser has faced backlash from a section of social media users who accused Geethu Mohandas—a filmmaker known for her vocal stance on political correctness—of hypocrisy. Critics argued that the "glamorized" depiction of the female body in the teaser contradicted her previous public positions.

However, prominent figures from the Malayalam film industry, including Rima Kallingal and Divya Prabha, have come out in support of the director and the actress. They argued that the scene represents female agency and sexual autonomy rather than mere objectification. According to them, the portrayal of the character  is a bold statement of a woman making her own choices.

'Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups'

The teaser, released to coincide with Yash’s 40th birthday, marks the superstar’s return to the big screen four years after the global phenomenon KGF: Chapter 2. The film is described as a gangster action thriller. Yash plays a character named Raya.  The video opens in a misty cemetery during a funeral, interrupted by armed men. Yash makes a stylish entry with a Tommy gun, concluding with the now-viral dialogue: "Daddy’s Home."

The film features a massive ensemble, including Nayanthara and Kiara Advani.Movie is being shot simultaneously in Kannada and English and is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on March 19, 2026.