The controversy surrounding the teaser of actor Yash’s upcoming film Toxic continues to intensify, drawing reactions from political leaders and regulatory bodies. Amid the growing debate, Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chairman Prasoon Joshi has finally responded, while carefully distancing himself from the issue.
Speaking to the media, Prasoon Joshi stated that he could not comment on the Toxic teaser controversy at the present stage. He clarified that many videos circulating on digital platforms such as YouTube do not require certification from the censor board. According to him, such content does not fall under the CBFC’s jurisdiction.
Joshi urged viewers to understand that not all visual content they watch online has been approved or certified by the censor board. He said audiences should move away from the assumption that every video available online has gone through a formal certification process. He also addressed a common misconception about OTT platforms, explaining that streaming content does not receive censor certificates from the CBFC.
The censor board chief also declined to comment on another recently controversial film, Jana Nayagan, stating that the matter is currently under legal scrutiny and remains sub judice.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic stars Yash in the lead role and carries the tagline “A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups.” The recently released glimpse introducing Yash’s character attracted criticism for its intimate scenes, sparking public outrage. Following the backlash, Aam Aadmi Party leaders filed a complaint with the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, which later sought a report from the censor board on the issue.
As the debate continues, the Toxic teaser controversy has once again raised questions about digital content regulation and audience awareness in the era of online platforms.
