Bengaluru: Yash and Kiara Advani’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is creating a strong buzz at the box office even before its theatrical release. The highly anticipated film has crossed the ₹41-crore mark in Day 1 advance booking, with more than 9 lakh tickets sold across India, according to the latest trade figures.

The Geetu Mohandas directorial is scheduled to release worldwide on August 26, 2026, and the latest advance booking numbers indicate strong audience interest in Yash’s return to the big screen after KGF: Chapter 2. With bookings still opening in some markets, particularly the Telugu-speaking regions, the film’s pre-release total could rise further before it finally reaches theatres.

Toxic crosses ₹41 crore in Day 1 advance booking

Toxic has recorded an impressive Day 1 advance gross of around ₹41 crore, including blocked seats. The actual booked gross is reported at approximately ₹31.89 crore, with around 8.94 lakh tickets sold across 17,692 shows in the latest available tracking figures.

Other updated trade tracking figures have put the advance gross at approximately ₹41.36 crore, with the film selling more than 9 lakh tickets across nearly 17,780 shows. The variation in reported figures is largely linked to the timing of updates and whether blocked seats are included in the tally.

The numbers are particularly significant because Toxic has received an A certificate, meaning the film is restricted to adult audiences. Despite the certification, the advance response has remained strong, suggesting that the film’s star power and pre-release anticipation are translating into ticket sales.

Karnataka leads Yash’s advance booking race

Karnataka, Yash’s home state, is currently the strongest market for Toxic. The film has recorded around ₹17.31 crore, including blocked seats, in the state, according to the latest advance booking data. Occupancy has been reported at approximately 55 per cent across nearly 2,000 shows, with more than 1,100 shows already close to being houseful.

Bengaluru is contributing substantially to the Karnataka numbers. The city has recorded around ₹10.67 crore, including blocked seats, with approximately 55 per cent occupancy across more than 1,000 shows. Mysuru has also shown strong interest, with reported occupancy reaching around 88 per cent in the latest figures.

The strong response in Karnataka is unsurprising given Yash’s enormous popularity in the state. However, the performance of the film outside its home market will be equally important because Toxic is being positioned as a pan-India release.

Hindi market adds to Toxic’s momentum

The Hindi version has also emerged as a major contributor to the film’s advance sales. Reports indicate that the Hindi 2D version alone has generated more than ₹15.5 crore, while additional revenue is coming from premium formats such as IMAX, 4DX and Dolby Cinema.

The strong Hindi response is significant for Yash, whose popularity expanded substantially across India following the success of the KGF franchise. Toxic is attempting to build on that pan-India appeal while retaining its Kannada identity.

The film is being released in multiple languages, giving it access to audiences across different regions. The Telugu market, however, had not fully opened advance bookings at the time of the latest reports. This leaves room for the Day 1 advance figure to increase further.

Can Toxic reach the ₹50-crore advance mark?

With another day remaining before the theatrical release, the immediate question is whether Toxic can push its Day 1 advance booking closer to the ₹50-crore mark.

Trade reports suggest that the target is possible because bookings are still expanding in some markets. The current ₹41-crore-plus figure already gives the film a substantial head start, while the opening of additional shows and regional markets could provide another boost.

However, advance booking figures should not be confused with the film’s final opening-day box office collection. Advance sales represent tickets purchased before release, while the eventual Day 1 figure will also depend on walk-in audiences, additional bookings and the final number of shows available.

Yash returns after KGF: Chapter 2

Toxic marks Yash’s first major theatrical release after the phenomenal success of KGF: Chapter 2. That long gap has contributed to the anticipation surrounding the film.

Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups features Yash alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth. The film has been described as a gangster action thriller and is expected to showcase Yash in a different setting from his earlier blockbuster franchise.

The combination of Yash’s star power, a large ensemble cast, a multi-language release and premium-format screenings has helped build considerable pre-release interest.

Strong opening expected for Toxic

The advance booking numbers suggest that Toxic is heading towards a substantial opening. More than 9 lakh tickets being sold before the film reaches theatres is a strong indicator of audience anticipation, particularly when bookings are still developing in some territories.

At the same time, the film will need to sustain audience interest beyond its first day. Reviews, word of mouth and weekend occupancy will ultimately determine whether the strong advance sales translate into a long-running box-office success.

For now, however, Toxic has achieved an important pre-release milestone. Crossing ₹41 crore in advance gross and selling more than 9 lakh tickets has put Yash’s film firmly among the most closely watched theatrical releases of the year.

Conclusion

With Toxic releasing on August 26, the advance booking trend has created considerable expectations around its opening-day performance. Karnataka continues to lead the response, while the Hindi market is also contributing significantly. With Telugu bookings yet to fully open in several areas, the film could add substantially to its pre-release tally before release.

Whether Toxic reaches the ₹50-crore advance-booking milestone remains to be seen, but its current numbers indicate that Yash’s return to theatres has already generated a major box-office wave.