'Toxic' movie's advance booking nears Rs 20 crore presales

Yash's action thriller Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is showing strong early signs of success, with advance bookings nearing Rs 20 crore. The film, set for a worldwide release on August 26, has already recorded an estimated Rs 10.94 crore in India through advance sales for its opening day. This figure includes contributions from multiple regional versions of the film, with the Kannada-language edition leading the charge. It has amassed approximately Rs 7.20 crore in advance bookings, followed by the Hindi version with Rs 3.70 crore. The remaining portion of the total comes from the Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam versions. Karnataka stands out as the largest contributor to Toxic's advance sales, with the film recording an estimated Rs 7.28 crore in gross revenue from the state alone. This makes sense given that Karnataka is Yash's home region, and the actor's fan base there is likely driving much of the demand. Despite the film still being several days away from its official release, the advance sales in the state are already close to the Rs 5 crore mark. Gujarat follows as the second-largest performer, with a gross collection of around Rs 1.07 crore, including blocked seats. Delhi completes the top three, with an estimated gross of approximately Rs 93 lakh. The film is also drawing attention beyond India, with notable activity in the United States. According to data from Venky Box Office, Toxic has recorded USD 163,150 in advance sales for its U.S. premieres. These figures were generated across 260 locations and 709 showtimes, with roughly 7,545 tickets sold so far. While this represents a solid start, the pace of sales in the U.S. appears to be slower compared to the pre-release momentum seen with Yash's previous blockbuster, KGF: Chapter 2. However, it should be noted that full-fledged advance bookings have not yet been launched across all major theater chains and territories, which could affect the final numbers. In terms of content restrictions, Toxic has received an 'A' certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India, limiting its audience to adults. This aligns with the film's adult-oriented narrative. In the UK, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has assigned the film an 18 rating, its highest level of restriction. The BBFC has highlighted concerns over themes and sequences involving threats, drug use, sexual violence, and self-harm. Elements such as violence, sex, and detailed injuries have received the highest content ratings, further reinforcing the film's mature audience focus. As the release date approaches, anticipation continues to build, especially within Yash's core fanbase. With advance bookings already surpassing Rs 18.27 crore and showing strong regional support, the film is positioned for a robust debut. The international response, though still in progress, suggests potential for wider appeal. The combination of high-profile marketing, a star-studded cast, and a unique genre blend positions Toxic as a contender for box office success. As the countdown to its global premiere continues, the film's performance will be closely watched by industry observers and fans alike.