Akshay Oberoi has shared a candid account of his time on the sets of Geetu Mohandas’ ‘Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups’, reflecting on his character, his working relationships with the cast, and the varied response the film has drawn from audiences and critics alike.

Akshay Oberoi on playing Tony in ‘Toxic’

In the film, Akshay plays Tony, a stylish gangster who operates alongside his sister Elizabeth, played by Huma Qureshi. Speaking to Hindustan Times, the actor said he thoroughly enjoyed bringing the character to life. “Mujhe to badiya lag raha hai (I am feeling great),” he said, describing the experience. He went on to detail what drew him to the role. “I love movies and acting. This was my chance to play a lomdi (fox)-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.” Tony, who joins Elizabeth in challenging Yash’s character Raya, gave Akshay the chance to explore a distinctly different look and personality from his previous roles, something he said he found genuinely rewarding.Playing on-screen siblings meant Akshay and Huma spent considerable time together during the shoot, and according to him, that professional association grew into a real friendship. “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 shared.

Akshay Oberoi praises Geetu Mohandas

Akshay also spoke highly of the collaborative dynamic between Toxic’s co-writers, Yash and director Geetu Mohandas, describing it as a meeting of two distinct creative sensibilities. “It was two different schools collaborating and putting together something bold and unique,” he said. He expressed particular admiration for Mohandas, citing her earlier work and the trust she placed in him during the shoot. “Geetu is fantastic, she’s done work like Liar’s Dice and Moothon. I fell in love with her while shooting. I loved every second of it. She treated me as an equal to all these big stars and trusted me with Tony. I can’t want to be directed by her again,” he said.

Akshay Oberoi addresses the backlash around ‘Toxic’

Toxic has drawn mixed reactions since its release, with the film also becoming a talking point during its promotional run. Akshay made it clear that the criticism hasn’t shifted his personal feelings about the project. “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,” he said. He added that the team’s satisfaction with the final product remains unaffected by outside reception. “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.”

Akshay Oberoi opens up on working with Yash

Akshay reserved some of his warmest words for Yash, whom he affectionately calls “Boss,” describing the experience as one that reshaped how he views his own craft. “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 said. He also pointed to Yash’s involvement across multiple aspects of filmmaking beyond acting, from cinematography to editing. “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,” Akshay added.

‘Toxic’s box office performance

Meanwhile, the film continues to perform strongly at the box office despite the mixed critical reception. As per Sacnilk, ‘Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups’ has crossed Rs 200.83 crore in total India gross collections within just three days of release.