📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India
Entertainment
‘Toxic’ draws mixed reviews despite massive PR push, box‑office eyes ₹15,000 cr record
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 30 Aug 2026, 06:33 AM
👁 20
The new Indian film ‘Toxic’ has received a mixed response from audiences even after an extensive publicity campaign, while industry analysts project a ₹15,000 crore box‑office record for 2026.
The Hindi‑language action thriller ‘Toxic’ opened nationwide this week after a high‑budget promotional tour that included billboards, TV spots and celebrity endorsements. Distributors had billed the film as a potential blockbuster, hoping it would boost the industry's growth trajectory.
Early screenings, however, have produced a split verdict. While some viewers praised the film’s visual effects and star power, others criticised its storyline and pacing, leading to a mixed word‑of‑mouth on social media platforms.
Trade analysts note that despite the lukewarm audience reaction, the Indian box‑office is targeting a historic ₹15,000 crore cumulative gross for the 2026 fiscal year. The figure, if achieved, would eclipse the previous record and signal a continued expansion of domestic cinema revenues.
Producers of ‘Toxic’ remain optimistic, citing the film’s strong opening day collections and the ongoing promotional blitz. They argue that sustained marketing and the film’s release in multiplexes across tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities could still drive significant earnings.
The industry will watch closely over the coming weeks to see whether ‘Toxic’ can overcome its mixed reviews and contribute meaningfully to the ambitious box‑office goal.
Early screenings, however, have produced a split verdict. While some viewers praised the film’s visual effects and star power, others criticised its storyline and pacing, leading to a mixed word‑of‑mouth on social media platforms.
Trade analysts note that despite the lukewarm audience reaction, the Indian box‑office is targeting a historic ₹15,000 crore cumulative gross for the 2026 fiscal year. The figure, if achieved, would eclipse the previous record and signal a continued expansion of domestic cinema revenues.
Producers of ‘Toxic’ remain optimistic, citing the film’s strong opening day collections and the ongoing promotional blitz. They argue that sustained marketing and the film’s release in multiplexes across tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities could still drive significant earnings.
The industry will watch closely over the coming weeks to see whether ‘Toxic’ can overcome its mixed reviews and contribute meaningfully to the ambitious box‑office goal.