During an interview with Screen, Jason Shah reflected on the evolution of audience tastes and the influence of politics and religion on storytelling. His comments specifically targeted two of the biggest upcoming projects in Indian cinema: Yash’s Toxic and Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar franchise.
Critique of ‘Toxic’ and Audience Evolution
Shah pointed to the teaser of Yash’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups as a reflection of a shift in the collective psyche of filmmakers and viewers.
- The “Male Gaze” Controversy: The Toxic teaser has already faced backlash for graphic content, with many accusing it of pandering to the male gaze.
- Changing Times: Shah questioned if lighthearted classics like Partner would find an audience today, stating, “I feel the innocence of movies is lost… People want to see so much violence.”
Shock Over ‘Dhurandhar’ Reaction
Despite the massive commercial success of Dhurandhar—which earned Rs 1,300 crore—Shah admitted he was disturbed by the public’s reaction to its brutal themes.
- Violence as Entertainment: He expressed shock that parents were taking young children to see a film centered on espionage and gritty violence in Karachi’s Lyari.
- Political Influence: Shah noted that while the film’s success stems from its relevance to Indian political history, the celebration of its “bloodthirsty” elements highlights a concerning shift in what connects with the masses.
The March 19 Box Office Battle
The debate comes at a crucial time as both films are headed for a colossal clash.
- Dhurandhar: The Revenge (Directed by Aditya Dhar) and Toxic (Starring Yash and Nayanthara) are both slated for release on March 19, 2026.
- While Dhurandhar 2 is being marketed as a “high-octane revenge saga,” Toxic is under fire for its graphic teaser, which reportedly led to the film’s lead female actor, Beatriz Taufenbach, deleting her social media due to online backlash.