‘I am proud of Toxic, we made what we wanted to make’: Akshay Oberoi talks about starring with Yash | Interview

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Akshay Oberoi talks about his recent release, Toxic, shooting for the Yash-starrer, and addresses the backlash.

In Geetu Mohandas’ Kannada-English film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, Akshay Oberoi plays the suave gangster, Tony, who reigns in chaos with his sister, Elizabeth, played by Huma Qureshi. In an interview with Hindustan Times, the actor compares his character to a lomdi (fox), opens up about his equation with the film’s team, including co-star Yash, and gets candid about whether the chatter surrounding the film is bothering him at all.

Akshay Oberoi as Tony the ‘lomdi’

Akshay Oberoi plays a gangster named Tony in Geetu Mohandas' Toxic.

Akshay has never had a film he has starred in open to ₹150 crore worldwide. He is thrilled beyond belief that, as an actor, he has now reached a wider audience. “Mujhe to badiya lag raha hai (I am feeling great),” he tells me, adding, “I love movies and acting. This was my chance to play a lomdi-like character. He even looks like it…with his long hair, high-waisted pants, and a swagger. The fact that I got to play something so interesting is exciting to me.”

In Toxic, Akshay’s Tony schemes with his sister, Elizabeth, played by Huma, to bring down Raya, played by Yash, before he becomes too powerful. What initially seems like a side character suddenly comes into focus. “Huma and I have become buddies after spending so much time together. There was a lot of trust. I know now that I can call her for anything, and I hope she does the same. We relied on each other a lot and had such fun shooting our scenes,” he says of his co-star.

On working with Geetu Mohandas and Yash

As for Yash, whom he fondly calls ‘Boss’, Akshay says working with him shifted his perspective. “Calling him Boss mere dil se aata hai (Calling him Boss comes from my heart). I see him, and I see all the things I lack. I know I’m a good actor…there’s no reason to be modest. But perhaps I lack in other things,” he says. The actor explains that Yash is involved in every department, from cinematography to editing and more, during a film shoot. “Boss is like a walking-talking industry of his own, building his own projects. He took Kannada cinema to another level and Toxic benefited from his stardom,” says Akshay.

Isn’t paying attention to the criticism

But all said and done, Toxic opened to polarising reviews from the critics and audiences alike. It’s something the film has experienced since its first promos were released. When I ask Akshay about it, he says, “I don’t know if I’ve paid attention to any of that or how I feel about that, really. I mean, a film is meant for the audience to dissect. I’m a film fan, too. So, I understand this is what happens and that people will have varied opinions. I have a whole different relationship with the film.”

“Whether they receive it this way or that way…we made the film we wanted to make. Everybody worked so hard on it. I am immensely proud of what we were able to achieve. Of course, I know there’s chatter. But I know how I felt when I shot for it,” he adds. But the film's box-office performance doesn’t seem to be far from his mind. “Let’s see how it goes. I’m very curious to see how Toxic is received in the future. This film has been a lifetime experience for me. I am proud of it, man. It’s such a bold film. So, let’s see what happens by Monday,” rounds off Akshay.