YouTubers receive legal notices over negative Toxic reviews
Yash’s much-awaited film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has found itself at the centre of a legal controversy shortly after its theatrical release.
While the film has been receiving mixed to negative reactions from audiences and critics, several YouTubers and social media influencers who posted critical reviews have reportedly received legal notices from representatives of the film’s production team.
The controversy comes just days after the makers obtained an ex-parte interim injunction from a Bengaluru court. The order restricts the publication and circulation of content that is considered false or defamatory against the film.
The development has now drawn attention to the difference between a legal notice and an actual court order, particularly as reviewers continue to discuss their experiences online.
One of the reviewers who publicly revealed receiving a notice is YouTuber Suraj Kumar. He shared a screenshot of the legal communication on social media.
The notice was issued by Bengaluru-based Aiplex Software, which stated that it was acting on behalf of KVN-Monster Mind Creations LLP, the production company behind Toxic.
The notice reportedly referred to a review uploaded by Suraj on the day the film was released. It alleged that his review had been published, circulated, shared, posted or otherwise communicated online. Despite receiving the notice, Suraj did not remove his review.
Instead, he shared the legal notice with his followers and responded with a sarcastic caption thanking the Toxic team for taking legal action over his review.
Another reviewer who has spoken about receiving a similar notice is Tamil YouTuber Prashanth Rangaswamy. He also took to social media to reveal that he had received a legal notice concerning his review of the film.
His post expressed disappointment over the development and questioned the decision to take legal action against reviewers who had expressed negative opinions about the movie.
Reports also suggest that an influencer on X received a similar notice after uploading a negative review in Tamil. The notices appear to have been sent as part of the production team’s wider effort to address online content surrounding the film.
According to the legal communication, Aiplex has been authorised to represent the producers for a specific period, from July 13 through September 26.
During this period, the company can reportedly issue takedown requests and approach online platforms, internet service providers and search engines regarding allegedly objectionable material connected to the film.
However, receiving a legal notice does not automatically mean that a reviewer has been found guilty of defamation. The court order is a separate matter.
The interim injunction was granted on August 22 by Bengaluru’s Additional City Civil and Sessions Court and specifically concerns content alleged to be false or defamatory. The order is temporary and is expected to remain in force until the next hearing, scheduled for September 28.
This is not the first time Aiplex has been involved in disputes concerning online film reviews. Telugu YouTuber Sushant had previously accused the company of using copyright-related strikes against critical movie reviews during opening weekends, adding another layer to the ongoing discussion about how film criticism is handled online.
Meanwhile, Toxic, directed by Geetu Mohandas, features Yash in the lead role alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara and other prominent actors.
The film had generated considerable anticipation before its release, but its reception has reportedly been largely negative.
The film’s box-office performance has also shown a significant decline after its opening day. Toxic reportedly earned around Rs 101 crore on its first day, while its collection fell sharply to approximately Rs 36 crore on the second day.
The legal notices issued to reviewers have therefore become a major talking point alongside the film’s performance.
As the court proceedings continue, the controversy has raised broader questions about the boundaries between film criticism, online opinions and allegedly defamatory content.
