The Karnataka Forest Department has taken serious action after an FIR was filed against the producers of the upcoming Yash-starrer Toxic over allegations of illegal tree felling for the film’s shooting.
The FIR also names the General Managers of Canara Bank and Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) for their alleged roles in the incident. The shooting took place in Peenya, an area that is designated as a reserved forest but is currently occupied by HMT.
Karnataka Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre visited the site and reviewed satellite images that showed extensive deforestation, purportedly for the making of Toxic. He was visibly concerned, stating that hundreds of trees were cut down without the necessary legal permissions. Khandre called the act a punishable offense and assured that action would be taken against those responsible for the violation of environmental laws. The deforestation issue has sparked public attention, with the Minister also sharing his findings on social media, including satellite images that highlight the damage.
Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups is an upcoming action film directed by Geetu Mohandas and co-produced by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations. The film, which stars Yash in the lead role, is set against the backdrop of the drug mafia. The movie was announced in December 2023, and it is scheduled to release on April 10, 2025. The controversy surrounding the illegal tree cutting could potentially affect the film’s release and public reception.
Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan was earlier rumored to be part of the film, but there has been no official confirmation regarding her involvement in the project as of now.
This controversy over environmental violations adds a significant layer of complexity to the film’s production, and the outcome of the investigation could have far-reaching implications for how future film productions in Karnataka and other states handle environmental regulations.
