Kiara Advani has opened up about her role in Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, calling it the most creatively satisfying character of her career so far. The Yash-starrer, directed by Geetu Mohandas, has faced criticism on social media over its portrayal of women. Some viewers felt the promotional material focused too heavily on the male lead while giving limited importance to the female characters. However, Kiara has presented a different view of the film. Speaking to Femina, she said she was immediately drawn to the character of Nadia after hearing Geetu Mohandas’s narration. According to Kiara, the role offered a wide emotional range, moving from strength and vulnerability to madness, sensitivity and detachment. She said Nadia gave her everything an actor looks for in a challenging role. Kiara also felt that the character came to her at the right stage in her career, when she had enough confidence to take on such a demanding part. The actress said preparing for Nadia was one of the most immersive experiences of her career. She explained that much of an actor’s work happens away from the spotlight, long before the cameras begin rolling. Kiara said she spent considerable time understanding Nadia’s emotions, relationships, fears and motivations. She also worked on the character’s body language, voice, costumes and overall physical presence. According to her, creating Nadia from the inside out reminded her why she fell in love with acting in the first place. Her comments stand in contrast to the online debate surrounding the film. The first teaser, released in late 2025, drew criticism for its suggestive visuals. The controversy intensified after the second teaser, titled Ladies and Ladies, was released to introduce the film’s female cast. Instead of ending the criticism, the teaser triggered another round of debate over the treatment of women in the film. Kiara, however, said working with Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth was a refreshing experience. She said each actress brought a distinct personality and energy to the film and expressed confidence that audiences would enjoy watching these different female characters in the same cinematic world. Kiara also praised the atmosphere on the sets, saying the cast and crew constantly pushed themselves to create something unique. The actress, who has worked in Hindi, Telugu and now Kannada cinema, said her experience across industries had changed her understanding of stardom and storytelling. She observed that fame may bring audiences to theatres, but honest storytelling is what remains with them. Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups features Yash in a dual role alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film is produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations. Originally shot in Kannada and English, the film will also be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.