Yash starrer Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups arrived in theatres today. But along with box office buzz, the film triggered a heated online debate over its ‘A’ certificate and reports of children being present at screenings meant strictly for adults. Here’s what happened.
What sparked the row over children watching ‘Toxic’?
A user on X (formerly Twitter) claimed a child was seated next to him during a screening of Toxic, despite the film carrying an ‘A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which restricts viewing to adults only. The user wrote, “My theatre anxiety is peaking as a little child is sitting next to me. And this is an adult movie with violence and A-rated scenes. Parents, stop bringing your films to adult films! Please…”
How are netizens reacting to the ‘Toxic’ A-certificate controversy?
The post quickly drew a wave of responses. One user commented, “Bro is getting lifetime trauma before learning the alphabet.” Another remarked, “They are the new generation; they have already seen worse. Focus on the movie lol.”Some users called for accountability from cinema chains, with one writing, “Actually @_PVRCinemas must be strict with such issues and also the parents that if there is a age rating, then it’s for a particular reason.” Another added, “This is why CBFC puts hard censorship even in A-rated movies,” while a separate comment read, “How could the theatre allow a child into an A-rated movie? That’s seriously concerning and completely unacceptable. Toxic.”
‘Toxic’ reviews and box office collection so farAlongside the online controversy, Toxic has received largely mixed-to-negative reviews from critics and early audiences. The film stars Yash alongside Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, Huma Qureshi and Nayanthara. Despite the lukewarm critical reception, the film has raked in over Rs 80 crore on its opening day so far, with final Day 1 numbers still awaited. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic hit the big screens on August 26, 2026.
