Yash's ‘Toxic’ reportedly found its way online mere hours after its theatrical debut, triggering concerns over piracy. Addressing the leak, Akshay Oberoi, who plays Tony in the film, chose to take a more optimistic view of the situation. He highlighted that, unlike other films that leak online prior to their release, ‘Toxic’ managed to remain secure right up until it hit the big screen.

Akshay Oberoi says he wasn't aware of the leak initially

In a conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Akshay said, “Some films have been leaked even before they hit the screens. But at least it only leaked post coming out in the cinema.” He admitted he wasn't aware of the leak when it first happened and further spoke about how disheartening it can be for a film to leak before it even releases in theatres.Akshay Oberoi on how devastating pre-release leaks can beAkshay pointed out that films can sometimes fall prey to leaks even before their theatrical run begins, he said, "I mean like there have been stories that are just so terrifying that, you know, like data, a disk, a hard disk leaked from some studio and now the thing is out even before it hits the cinema.” He went on to express sympathy for everyone associated with a film's making. He admitted, “immensely bad for the producer, the actors and so many people who put so much hard work.” However, he added, “Thank God, that didn’t happen with us.”

Akshay Oberoi reveals why ‘Toxic’ team avoided interviews before release

The actor also shed light on why filmmakers and actors often keep details about their projects under wraps ahead of release, citing piracy as a major concern. He revealed that the ‘Toxic’ team made a conscious effort to avoid disclosing anything about the film's plot during its promotional run. “That’s also why everyone is so fiercely protective. Like we didn’t talk about the film or the story at all. If you notice, no one gave any interviews,” he said.

Akshay Oberoi urges fans to watch Toxic in theatres

Akshay also asked people to watch Toxic in theatres, the way it's meant to be seen, saying it shows respect for the hard work put into making the film.

About ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’

Directed by Geetu Mohandas and led by Yash, ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups’ is a Kannada action thriller that marked the actor's comeback to the big screen following ‘KGF Chapter 2’. The film hit theatres on March 19, 2026, and was produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under the banners of KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations. Its ensemble cast includes Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, and Akshay Oberoi in significant roles, with music by Charan Raj and cinematography helmed by Jomon T. John.