Yash’s ‘Toxic’ Teaser Ignites National Outcry: Female Lead Deactivates Instagram Amid “Obscenity” Claims

BENGALURU — The celebratory buzz surrounding Rocking Star Yash’s 40th birthday has been eclipsed by a escalating legal and social media firestorm. The teaser for his highly anticipated film, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, has landed in hot water over a graphic car sequence, leading its female co-star to vanish from digital platforms and drawing the ire of political and regulatory bodies.

1. The Digital Exit: Beatriz Taufenbach Goes Dark

Following the teaser’s release on January 8, 2026, the internet was set ablaze by a stylized, intimate scene featuring Yash and a mysterious woman in a car parked near a cemetery.

• The Identity Reveal: Director Geetu Mohandas eventually put an end to intense speculation—which initially misidentified the actor as Natalie Burn—by introducing Brazilian model and singer Beatriz Taufenbach as her “cemetery girl.”
• The Backlash: The introduction was short-lived. Following a wave of “moral policing” and intense scrutiny, Beatriz’s Instagram account was found to be deactivated. Searches for her handle now return a “Profile not available” message, suggesting she stepped away to avoid the growing online vitriol.

2. Legal Net Tightens: AAP and Child Rights Commissions Intervene

The controversy moved beyond social media comments on Monday when the women’s wing of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lodged a formal complaint with the Karnataka State Commission for Women (KSWC).

• Allegations of Obscenity: AAP state secretary Usha Mohan alleged that the “explicit content” degrades the dignity of women and insults Kannada culture. The party is demanding a total ban on the teaser across social media.
• Child Safety Concerns: The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also stepped in, writing to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). They argue that the teaser, accessible to minors on YouTube and Instagram without age gates, violates public decency and impacts youth mental health.
• CBFC Stand: While activist Dinesh Kallahalli has moved the CBFC for action, internal reports suggest a regulatory hurdle: digital teasers do not currently fall under mandatory pre-clearance rules as theatrical trailers do, leaving the board in a difficult position.

3. The “Vanga-fication” Debate: Director Geetu Mohandas Responds

Critically acclaimed for her feminist perspectives, director Geetu Mohandas has faced accusations of “hypocrisy” and “objectification.” She addressed the noise with a cryptic Instagram story:

“Chilling while people figure out female pleasure, consent, women playing systems, etc., etc.”

While filmmakers like Ram Gopal Varma and Sandeep Reddy Vanga have hailed the teaser as a “symbol of empowerment” and “pure chaos,” the local sentiment remains deeply divided.

4. Clash of the Titans: March 19, 2026

Despite the legal hurdles, the film is gearing up for one of the biggest box-office battles of the decade.