Ram Gopal Varma Calls Debate On Yash’s Stardom Pre-KGF Laughable; Says, “Hindi Audience Didn’t Know Prabhas Before Baahubali”

Yash is currently making headlines with the release of his highly anticipated film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. However, the gangster drama has received largely negative reviews and is reportedly underperforming at the box office. The film was expected to mark Yash’s big success after the KGF franchise, but its theatrical run has so far received a mixed response. Amid the buzz surrounding Toxic, veteran producer Allu Aravind’s old “Who was Yash before KGF?” remark has resurfaced online. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has now weighed in on the debate and defended the context behind the statement. Read the full story.

Ram Gopal Varma On Yash’s Stardom After Toxic Mixed Reviews

Taking to X on Tuesday, Ram Gopal Varma addressed the controversy, writing, “The controversy regarding #AlluAravind ‘s statement regarding #Yash is ridiculously laughable because what he clearly meant when he talked about big films with unknown actors and saying he dint know of Yash before KGF , even a dumbo should understand that it was in context of the below.”

The controversy regarding #AlluAravind ‘s statement regarding #Yash is ridiculously laughable because what he clearly meant when he talked about big films with unknown actors and saying he dint know of Yash before KGF , even a dumbo should understand that it was in context of the…

— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) September 1, 2026

He further explained his point by comparing Yash’s rise to the pan-India popularity of actors such as Prabhas and Rishab Shetty. He added, “The Hindi audience dint know Prabhas before Baahubali , they dint know Rishab before Kantara , I dint know Brando before Godfather..Maybe he was a star before in his films A street car named desire , on the water front etc ..I don’t know if they released in india also .. That’s because those films made them big stars and not the other way around ..Hollywood always spends big on concept films and not on stars ..Even directors like Nolan use names only for their acting prowess and not to depend on their stardom ..We all know whether it’s Oppenheimer or Odyssey , they would work as much irrespective of who’s in it”

RGV Says The Reaction Is ‘Egoistic’

Continuing his argument, Ram Gopal Varma said that people should not take Allu Aravind’s earlier comment personally. Coming back to the subject of Allu, it’s only highly egotistic people who will take his statement personally on such a general well meaning thought ..Actually this kind of reaction also explains why they are making what they are making. The controversy dates back to 2023, when Allu Aravind spoke about the success of KGF and questioned Yash’s standing before the franchise. His “Who was Yash before KGF?” remark sparked criticism from the actor’s fans and has now resurfaced amid the release of Toxic.

Addressing the issue without naming Aravind, Pushpa said that Yash was already a known and successful name in Kannada cinema before KGF. She highlighted his string of successful films and years of work, stressing that his rise to pan-India fame was not an overnight development.

Toxic Box Office Run

Despite receiving mixed reviews, Toxic has continued to attract audiences and has crossed the Rs 200 crore mark in India within five days of its release. The film has also generated discussion over its intense violence and sexual content, which have divided viewers. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups stars Yash, Nayanthara and Kiara Advani in the lead roles, alongside Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth and Tara Sutaria. Released on August 26 in Kannada, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and English, the film is now eyeing the Rs 300 crore worldwide milestone.

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Also Read: Did Ram Gopal Varma Take A Dig At Yash Starrer Toxic? Shares Cryptic Post Over Film’s Box Office

Akankshya Mukherjee

Akankshya Mukherjee is a dynamic and ambitious individual poised to make waves in the realm of Media and Communication. With a passion for creativity and a drive to contribute to forward-thinking organizations, Akankshya embodies adaptability and a hunger for learning. Having already garnered experience through involvement in various organizations, she has honed the skill of quickly adapting to new environments and challenges. She sees each opportunity as a chance for personal and professional growth, eagerly embracing roles in communications and content writing.