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Yash's Toxic gets harsher UK rating than Dhurandhar for sex, violence and gore
The British Board of Film Classification has rated Yash's 'Toxic' 18+, with maximum marks for violence, injury detail and sex, surpassing the 'Dhurandhar' films. The certification page erroneously labels the film as Tamil-language, though it was shot in Kannada and English.
The upcoming Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has received an 18+ certificate from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), with notably higher ratings in violence, injury detail and sex than the Dhurandhar films, as reported by India Today and Times Now. The film is set for an August 26 release, avoiding a clash with the Ranveer Singh starrer in March.
The BBFC listing shows Toxic rated 5/5 for violence, sex and injury detail, while threat and horror, language, drugs, sexual violence and sexual threat, and suicide and self-harm are each rated 4/5. The UK runtime is listed as 191 minutes and 41 seconds.
BBFC Description and Error
The BBFC website mistakenly describes Toxic as a "Tamil-language actioner" in its synopsis: "In this Tamil-language actioner, the leader of a powerful drug cartel in Goa sows the seeds of his own destruction." However, in the Industry Details section, the Language column correctly reads Kannada. The film was shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and other languages.
Violent and Sexual Content Details
Under violence, the BBFC wrote: "Strong violence includes shootings, stabbings, throat slashings, bludgeonings, torture, hangings, immolations and dismemberments, frequently resulting in large blood spurts and grisly injury detail." The listing also notes sexual and erotic scenes, including some set in strip clubs, with scenes featuring thrusting and erotic asphyxiation, as well as visual and verbal references to group sex.
The BBFC further noted that "Strong images of corpses, severed body parts, bleeding wounds, and pools of blood occur in the aftermath of violence." It mentioned an "upsetting scene" implying child sexual abuse, along with scenes relating to misuse of cocaine and cannabis, people attempting suicide, and strong language.
Comparison with 'Dhurandhar'
In contrast, both Dhurandhar films, directed by Aditya Dhar with the first released in 2025 and the sequel in March, were rated 5/5 only for violence, with lower ratings in other categories. The first film received 4/5 for threat and horror, language, drugs, sexual violence and sexual threat, and suicide and self-harm, 2/5 for sex, and 3/5 for discrimination. The second film was rated 4/5 for the same categories except injury detail (which was 4/5), with a sex rating of 3/5 and discrimination 2/5.
Film Details
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic stars Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, Akshay Oberoi, and Sudev Nair. It is produced by Venkata Krishna and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations. The film received an 'A' certificate from the Indian Censor Board.
Set in 1980s Goa, the film features Yash in a dual role as Raya and Rumi (also known as Ticket), with a tense father-son relationship. The trailer released on August 8 showcased gunfire, explosives, bloodshed and hand-to-hand combat, ending with Raya and Ticket fighting bare-handed. The film is described as one of the most expensive Indian productions.
How each outlet told it
India Today
Framing: Highlights the higher UK rating for Toxic compared to Dhurandhar, focusing on sex, violence and gore. — Measured and descriptive, focusing on the certification details and comparisons.
Facts Included:
Toxic has received UK certification from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) with higher ratings in violence, injury detail and sex than Dhurandhar.
The film avoids a box-office clash with the Ranveer Singh starrer in March, heading for August 26 release.
BBFC listing shows Toxic rated 5/5 for violence, sex and injury detail; threat and horror, language, drugs, sexual violence and sexual threat, and suicide and self-harm rated 4/5.
Film's runtime in the UK is 191 minutes and 41 seconds.
BBFC mistakenly categorised Toxic as a Tamil film instead of Kannada.
BBFC description: 'the leader of a powerful drug cartel in Goa sows the seeds of his own destruction.'
Under violence, BBFC wrote: 'Strong violence includes shootings, stabbings, throat slashings, bludgeonings, torture, hangings, immolations and dismemberments, frequently resulting in large blood spurts and grisly injury detail.'
Listing said the film contains sexual and erotic scenes, including some set in strip clubs.
BBFC noted 'Strong images of corpses, severed body parts, bleeding wounds, and pools of blood occur in the aftermath of violence'.
Mentioned an 'upsetting scene' implying child sexual abuse, along with strong language and misuse of drugs.
Dhurandhar: Directed by Aditya Dhar, first part released in 2025, Dhurandhar 2 arrived in March this year.
Both Dhurandhar films were rated 5/5 only for violence, with lower ratings in other categories.
First Dhurandhar film received 4/5 for threat and horror, language, drugs, sexual violence and sexual threat, and suicide and self-harm; 2/5 for sex and 3/5 for discrimination.
Dhurandhar 2 was rated 4/5 for threat and horror, language, drugs, sexual violence and sexual threat, and injury detail; sex rating 3/5 and discrimination 2/5.
Starring Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.
Produced by Venkata Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations LLP.
Film shot in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and other languages.
Mounted on a massive budget, described as one of the most expensive films made in India.
Trailer released on August 8.
Set in 1980s Goa, shows Yash in dual role as Raya and Rumi, also known as Ticket, opens with tense father-son relationship.
Promo features gunfire, explosions, bloodshed and hand-to-hand combat, and glimpses of relationships involving Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria and other lead characters.
Ends with Raya and Ticket fighting each other with bare hands.
Framing: Emphasizes the BBFC's error of calling Toxic a 'Tamil-Language' film and the highest rating for violence and sex, using a sensational headline. — Sensational and hype-driven, using phrases like 'massive hype' and 'stellar cast'.
Facts Included:
Toxic has received an 18+ certificate from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
The UK certification page describes it as a 'Tamil-language' film.
Geetu Mohandas is the director.
Film scored an 'A' certificate from the Censor Board Of Film Certification in India.
BBFC website description: 'In this Tamil-language actioner, the leader of a powerful drug cartel in Goa sows the seeds of his own destruction.'
The website shows the film rated 18+.
In the Industry Details section, the Language column reads Kannada.
Film is shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, dubbed in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Malayalam.
Parameters: Violence, S*x, and Injury Detail rated 5/5; Threat And Horror, Language, Drugs, S*xual Violence And S*xual Threat, Suicide And Self-Harm rated 4/5.
Violence description: 'Strong violence includes shootings, stabbings, throat slashings, bludgeonings, torture, hangings, immolations and dismemberments, frequently resulting in large blood spurts and grisly injury detail.'
Certification page shows scenes of s*x feature thrusting, as well as instances of erotic asphyxiation. Scenes take place in strip clubs, visual and verbal references to group s*x and other s*xual activities.
Film includes scenes relating to misuse of cocaine and cannabis, implied child abuse, people attempting suicide, and strong images of corpses, severed body parts, and bleeding wounds.
Cast includes Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, Huma Qureshi, Akshay Oberoi, and Sudev Nair.
Earlier slated to release alongside Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar The Revenge in March, moved to June before locking August 26 as final release date.
Film is jointly produced by Venkat K Narayana's KVN Productions and Yash's Monster Mind Creations.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimToxic has received UK certification from the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) with higher ratings in violence, injury detail and sex than Dhurandhar.
ClaimThe BBFC listing shows Toxic rated 5/5 for violence, sex and injury detail; threat and horror, language, drugs, sexual violence and sexual threat, and suicide and self-harm rated 4/5.
ClaimUnder violence, the BBFC wrote: 'Strong violence includes shootings, stabbings, throat slashings, bludgeonings, torture, hangings, immolations and dismemberments, frequently resulting in large blood spurts and grisly injury detail.'
ClaimThe first Dhurandhar film received 4/5 for threat and horror, language, drugs, sexual violence and sexual threat, and suicide and self-harm; 2/5 for sex and 3/5 for discrimination.
ClaimDhurandhar 2 was rated 4/5 for threat and horror, language, drugs, sexual violence and sexual threat, and injury detail; sex rating 3/5 and discrimination 2/5.
ClaimToxic is set against the backdrop of 1980s Goa, and shows Yash in a dual role as Raya and Rumi, also known as Ticket, opening with a tense father-son relationship.
ClaimThe promo of Toxic features gunfire, explosions, bloodshed and hand-to-hand combat, and glimpses of relationships involving Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria and other lead characters.
ClaimThe BBFC certification page shows that Toxic carries 'scenes of s*x feature thrusting, as well as instances of erotic asphyxiation. Scenes take place in strip clubs, and there are visual and verbal references to group s*x and other s*xual activities.'
ClaimThe BBFC certification page indicates Toxic includes scenes relating to misuse of cocaine and cannabis, implied child abuse, people attempting suicide, and strong images of corpses, severed body parts, and bleeding wounds.
ClaimToxic was earlier slated to release alongside Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar The Revenge in March, then moved to June before locking August 26 as its final release date.