28 December,2025 12:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Huma Qureshi
The intrigue surrounding one of the most anticipated films of 2026, Rocking Star Yash's Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, deepens as the makers unveil the striking first look of Huma Qureshi as Elizabeth. Known for constantly defying expectations, Qureshi's entry into the dark world of Toxic hints at a character layered with mystery, allure, and quiet menace - one that promises to leave a lasting impact.
Over the years, Huma Qureshi has carved a formidable body of work across films and series, seamlessly shifting between hard-hitting dramas, unapologetic narratives, dark thrillers, and mainstream spectacles. From commanding, rooted performances to fearless genre-bending choices, she has emerged as an actor who brings both gravitas and unpredictability to the screen.
The first look of Huma as Elizabeth is arresting in its contradiction. It places the character in a graveyard setting, with weathered tombstones and looming stone angels framing the background. She stands beside a sleek vintage black car, dressed in an elegant off-shoulder black ensemble with dramatic sleeves, exuding old-world glamour, while the gothic surroundings and muted tones lend an ominous, foreboding edge to her presence. In a never-before-seen role, Huma appears calm and graceful, masking a morbid interior. There is an unsettling power in her gaze, hinting at a woman who doesn't need overt violence to dominate - her elegance itself is a tool in a morally ambiguous fairytale.
Speaking about casting Huma Qureshi as Elizabeth, director Geetu Mohandas said, "Casting for this role was perhaps the trickiest. The character demanded a performer with high octane caliber and an undeniable presence. From the moment Huma entered my frame, I witnessed that she possessed something rare. She carried an effortless sophistication and intensity that immediately brought the character of Elizabeth alive for me. Huma is an actor who questions, probes, and challenges the artistic interpretation of a role and that dialogue became an essential part of our creative journey. She has always been known as a powerhouse of talent, but this performance will mark as a turning point for the arrival of an undeniable, commanding new presence on celluloid."
Four years after redefining box-office history with KGF: Chapter 2, Rocking Star Yash returns to the big screen with Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, a project that has been generating unprecedented buzz across industries.
Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been filmed simultaneously in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages - underscoring its global ambition. The film boasts a powerhouse technical team, including National Award winner Rajeev Ravi as cinematographer, Ravi Basrur on music, Ujwal Kulkarni on editing, and TP Abid as production designer. High-octane action is choreographed by Hollywood action director JJ Perry (John Wick) along with National Award-winning duo Anbariv & Kecha Khamphakdee. Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic is slated for a grand theatrical release on the long festive weekend of 19th March 2026, coinciding with Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa.
