Interviews, Movie Premieres, Brand News & Event Recaps

Lionsgate Announces Strategic Collaboration with Yash for Global Launch of Toxic

Lionsgate Expands Reach with Indian Audiences through Alliance with Yash and His Banner, Monster Mind Creations, Positioning Studio for Future Growth in This Top Global Film Market

Lionsgate has announced a strategic collaboration with Indian action superstar Yash surrounding the global launch of his ambitious new action epic, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups.
Lionsgate Announces Strategic Collaboration with Yash for Global Launch of Toxic

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Lionsgate) & MUMBAI, India (Yash/Monster Mind Creations), August 26, 2026 —Lionsgate has launched a new strategic collaboration with Indian cinema superstar and film producer Yash and his independent production company, Monster Mind Creations, expanding the studio’s reach with Indian audiences in the world’s fourth-largest global film market. The relationship begins in connection with the global theatrical release of Yash’s highly anticipated action epic, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, a KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations production whose promotional trailers and teasers have cumulatively garnered 340.9 million views, opening August 26 in wide release across North America (through Prime Media). As part of the collaboration, Yash will participate in select promotional initiatives for Lionsgate’s flagship theatrical releases, bringing his immense fanbase within India’s market of 1.48 billion people to those campaigns. The announcement was made today by Adam Fogelson, Chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, and Yash.

Lionsgate teams with leading filmmakers worldwide who bring bold, distinctive creative visions to the big screen. Recognizing Yash’s record-breaking box office successes and his expansive global fanbase of over 25 million followers (across Instagram, X, and Facebook), the studio identified him as the ideal collaborator to connect India’s formidable moviegoing audience with Lionsgate’s top IP, including iconic action franchises such as John Rambo and the upcoming film Caine from the John Wick Universe.

Fogelson said, “India is the fastest growing cinema marketplace in the world, and Yash is an incredible voice within that space—one of its true global action draws, both as an actor and film producer. As we continue to look at how we engage audiences in this strategically vital market, we’re thrilled to work with Yash, whose creative vision, star power, and voice carry tremendous weight with one of the most passionate film fanbases in the world.”

Yash added, “Lionsgate is a master of action storytelling. They possess a world-class library and are building incredible momentum around legendary action characters, from John Rambo to Caine from the world of John Wick. As Monster Mind Creations and I unleash Toxic on the world stage, I look forward to working together with Lionsgate in bridging cinematic worlds and bringing global audiences closer to the in-theater cinema experiences they love.” 

The deal was negotiated by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s EVP, International Business Strategy, Anugrah Joshi, and Yash’s agent, Avinash Bidaia.

Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups is one of the most highly anticipated films in contemporary global cinema and opens worldwide in theaters Wednesday, August 26, with Prime Media releasing the film across North America in over 2,000 theaters. Directed by Sundance award-winning filmmaker Geetu Mohandas (India’s 2014 Oscar® entry Liar’s Dice, Moothon), and produced by Venkat K Narayana and Yash, the action tentpole thriller from KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations stars Yash, Nayanthara (Jawan), Kiara Advani (ShershaahKabir Singh), Tara Sutaria (Student of the Year 2), Rukmini Vasanth (Kantara: Chapter 1Sapta Sagaradaache Ello – Side A & B), and Huma Qureshi (Army of the DeadGangs of Wasseypur). Set against the backdrop of crumbling Portuguese rule in Goa, the narrative follows Raya (Yash) as he rises through betrayal and bloodshed to claim the city’s underworld, only to learn that power always demands a price.

WHO

About Yash

Yash’s breakthrough came with Moggina Manasu, Googly, and Mr and Mrs Ramachari, where audiences experienced his unique blend of charm, vulnerability, and intensity. Known for his relentless discipline, he quickly earned a reputation as an actor who immerses himself fully in every role, which was further solidified as Mr and Mrs Ramachari went on to the highest-grossing Kannada film (regional). With KGF: Chapter 1(2018), Yash gave the world Rocky Bhai, a character that symbolizes grit, hope, and survival against all odds. The sequel, KGF: Chapter 2 (2022), became a cultural juggernaut, rewriting box office history by grossing over ₹1,200 crore worldwide. The franchise not only shattered records but also placed Kannada cinema firmly on the global stage. Today, Yash is a leading force in Indian cinema, known for his visionary approach to large-scale, “tentpole” storytelling.

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate (NYSE: LION) is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a premier talent management and production powerhouse at 3 Arts Entertainment and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.

About Monster Mind Creations

Founded by producer and superstar South Asian actor, Yash, Monster Mind Creations is a visionary, independent production house dedicated to backing high-concept, culturally rooted storytelling with global appeal. Driven by a commitment to foster bold creative talent and elevate cinematic standards, the banner focuses on producing ambitious, genre-defining entertainment. Monster Mind Creations is currently co-producing two pan-India tentpole films: Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups opening in theaters globally on August 26, and the epic Indian cinematic spectacle Ramayana which Sony Pictures will release theatrically worldwide (except for India) on November 6.