After months of speculation, the makers of Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-Ups have finally locked a new release date. Headlined by Yash, also starring Kiara Advani, and directed by Geetu Mohandas, the pan-India action spectacle will now hit theatres worldwide on August 26.

While Toxic arrives on a Wednesday, coinciding with Onam and giving it a two-day head start before the weekend, it will still face competition at the box office. On August 28, three other films — Khosla Ka Ghosla 2, Shraddha Kapoor’s Eetha and Sidharth Malhotra’s Vvan — are currently slated to release, setting up one of the busiest weekends on the 2026 release calendar. Interestingly, if the films release as planned, real-life couple Sidharth and Kiara will see their films clash at the box office.

Toxic was originally slated for an earlier release before undergoing several date changes. Industry buzz linked one of the shifts to a crowded release calendar and a clash with Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar The Revenge, which eventually secured the March 19 release slot. Toxic was later set for a June 4 release, but Yash confirmed in April that the team needed more time to align its global distribution strategy and international partnerships ahead of its worldwide rollout.

Akkshay Rathie, Director, Ashirwad Theatres Pvt Ltd, believes the situation remains fluid and that producers may still rethink their release strategies. “Two films with the ability to create a significant impact across the length and breadth of India ideally shouldn’t arrive together because every stakeholder wants to optimize revenues. Toxic is undoubtedly the bigger pan-India film in terms of geographical reach. Eetha may have stronger relevance in Maharashtra and certain markets, but Toxic has the potential to perform across urban as well as rural India,” he says.

Rathie adds that the announcement has caught the industry off guard and could trigger further movement on the release calendar. “This announcement has come completely out of the blue. There is still time and everyone will do whatever it takes to protect the best interests of their respective films,” he explains.

Kamal Gianchandani, CEO, PVR, believes that even if the clash is not averted, four films can be accommodated. He shares, “Cinemas have enough and more capacity to accommodate three or more films, especially when the movies are varied in sizes. We’ll see what decision other producers take on their release dates, because they often go back to the drawing board and rethink their dates.”

Sameer Munshi, VP, Miraj Entertainment Ltd, adds, “From an exhibitor’s perspective, this is a good clash to have. A packed release calendar indicates confidence in the theatrical business and gives audiences more choice. If the content works, all films can find an audience, even though Toxic is likely to be the clear opening-weekend leader.”

Deepak Mishra, director of Vvan, confirms that the movie is set to release on August 28, on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. On the clash, he says, “We are the same industry. As artistes, we all want to showcase our work well. Eventually, the audience is the king. My best wishes to the Toxic team.”

When asked if there is a possibility that Vvan could be pushed to another date, Mishra says, “That will be a call that the makers will take. I am only focused on my work.”

Ranvir Shorey, who reprises his role as the pookie gangster Chhota Davan in Amazon MX Player’s Bindiya Ke Bahubali season 2, has high regard for his long-time collaborator and veteran actor Saurabh Shukla. The latter essays Ranvir’s father in the show. They met through their common friend and actor Rajat Kapoor and have been going strong even after decades in showbiz.

Ranvir exclusively tells mid-day, “Saurabh is older than me in every possible way – experience, talent, and wisdom. There's a very older brother vibe, which I have with Saurabh. I not only enjoy spending time, but I also look forward to it. It’s a learning and fun experience for me.”

Recently, many filmmakers and producers have prioritized social media clout over traditional acting merit when casting. Ranvir, known for his unfiltered presence online, acknowledges that his outspoken nature may have cost him significant professional opportunities.

He explains, “Of course, I have no concrete evidence or conclusive proof of this. But I think it does affect how you are perceived in the business. But it’s one life, bro; I do not want to be boxed up. I don't want to toe the line. I don't want to live a life where I feel like my opinions have to lick somebody's feet.”

Ranvir, who started his career with television and later transitioned into movies and OTT, says the industry has changed for good. “I think there are far more opportunities today in the world of filmmaking. And the flip side to that is that there is far more competition also.”

Ranvir is currently filming Khosla Ka Ghosla 2, a project he committed to only after confirming that original cast members Anupam Kher and Boman Irani were returning. Describing them as the "pillars" of the franchise, he likens the experience to a family reunion. “I didn't want to be the reason the Khosla family couldn't get back together,” he notes, emphasizing his loyalty to the original ensemble.

While Ranvir can shapeshift into any given role, he is largely associated with comedy as a genre. At a time when cringeworthy content is taking over intelligent writing, the actor states that it is paramount to back good projects.

“People don't realize how much goes on behind the scenes. What actors, directors, and writers struggle with, you cannot imagine. The kind of egos you have to deal with just to be able to do the kind of work you want to do,” he signs off.

Prashant Bhagia, Anupam Kher, and Savita Raj Hiremath

The Khosla household is back in a familiar territory as cameras roll once again, on the sequel to Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006). The film, which recently went on floors in Gurgaon, reunites key members of the original cast while expanding the story with new characters and conflicts.

Tara Sharma Saluja, Anupam Kher, Ranvir Shorey, Ravi Kishan, Kiran Juneja, and Parvinn Dabbass are presently filming the sequel in Gurgaon, with Boman Irani and Divya Khosla expected to join soon. The new film continues from where the original ended, with the characters older, settled and facing fresh challenges.

Producer Savita Raj Hiremath tells mid-day that the long gap was inevitable. “Good things take time and it wasn’t easy to make the sequel as expectations are more. There are so many actors in the movie, finding the right story was important.” She adds, “Director Dibakar Banerjee and writer Jaideep Sahni aren’t involved this time. My team and I have written the story this time.”

Though Banerjee was approached, the sequel eventually found a new director in ad filmmaker Prashant Bhagia. “If they say that KKG is not their zone anymore, obviously I had to find another director, and I found that simplicity in Prashant.”

Despite the shift, the emotional core remains. “When we say KKG we mean there is something more about the ghosla that matters a lot to the Khoslas,” says Hiremath.