A YouTuber has received a legal notice from the team behind Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups over his online review of the film, just a day after its theatrical release.
YouTuber Suraj Kumar shared a screenshot of the notice on X, showing that Bengaluru-based Aiplex Software Private Limited had contacted him on behalf of KVN Monster Mind Creations LLP, the producer and copyright owner of Toxic. The notice referred to a review that Kumar had uploaded online on Wednesday, the day the film was released.
According to the notice, the production team alleged that content related to the film had been published and circulated through digital platforms. It identified the URL of the review and indicated that further action could be taken in relation to the content. However, the review video remained available online at the time of reporting.
Kumar shared the legal notice on social media with a brief message thanking the Toxic team for sending it. The development has drawn attention because the film's legal team had already approached a Bengaluru court before its release.
On August 22, an Additional City Civil and Sessions Court in Bengaluru passed an ex parte temporary injunction in a case filed by the production house. The order restrained the publication or circulation of false or defamatory content concerning the film.
The case includes several defendants, including X Corp and unidentified individuals referred to as a “John Doe” defendant. The temporary order is currently scheduled to remain in force until the next hearing on September 28.
The court also stated that the injunction could not be used for purposes beyond those for which it was granted. It further noted that the order could be vacated if the plaintiff failed to comply with the conditions imposed by the court.
The involvement of Aiplex has added another dimension to the controversy. The company has previously been involved in issuing copyright and legal notices on behalf of entertainment industry clients. Some content creators have previously raised concerns about the use of such measures against critical film reviews.
Toxic marks a major project for Yash, who stars in the film, co-wrote it and is also among its producers. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, the film also features Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth.
The film opened in theatres on Wednesday and has received mixed reactions from critics and audiences. The legal notice to a reviewer has now brought additional attention to the film's release, raising questions about the balance between protecting a film's reputation and allowing viewers and critics to freely express their opinions.
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