Toxic: Geetu Mohandas's Female Gaze Missing?

Three years after its announcement, Geetu Mohandas's gangster film 'Toxic' has finally been released, but it has failed to deliver on its promise of a "female gaze." Despite featuring a star-studded cast including Yash, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Rukmini Vasanth, and Huma Qureshi, the film's narrative is overwhelmingly anchored to Yash's character, Raya.

The film's central contradiction lies in its portrayal of women. While five formidable actresses play significant roles, their perspectives and inner lives are largely unexplored. Nayanthara's character, Ganga, is presented as Raya's sister, but her story is told through his memories. Tara Sutaria's Rebecca and Kiara Advani's Nadia, both linked romantically to Raya, exist primarily in relation to him, with their pain and experiences overshadowed by his actions.

Rukmini Vasanth's Mellisa and Huma Qureshi's Elizabeth also have arcs that, while offering scope for independent exploration, ultimately circle back to their connection with Raya or the male-dominated power struggles. The film offers little insight into how these women perceive the world or their relationships with men whose lives are steeped in violence.

Director Geetu Mohandas had described 'Toxic' as a gangster film with a female gaze, but the final product is criticized for prioritizing male-centric spectacle. The film is seen as a failure not in its genre execution, but in its missed opportunity to offer a distinct female perspective, leaving audiences questioning if the women were truly seen beyond their relation to the male protagonist.