Toxic: Did Yash's film expose Geetu Mohandas' hypocrisy or did you speak too soon?

A small glimpse of "Toxic" that was released to celebrate the birthday of the movie's lead, Yash, has sparked debate online. Director Nithin Renji Panicker, who directed the infamous "Kasaba," led the criticism against the movie, effectively calling director Geetu Mohandas a "hypocrite."

Nithin accused Geetu of forgetting her feminist beliefs and "conveniently reviving the definition of misogyny after crossing the state borders."

First, some background. "Kasaba" caused a watershed moment in the Malayalam film industry when it was released in 2016. The on-screen sexism in the movie, starring Malayalam superstar Mammootty, was so blatant that a larger section of women members of the Malayalam film industry said, "Time's Up!" There was a significant movement to discourage Malayalam filmmakers from glorifying toxic male traits that treat women as subservient to males, objectify them for titillation, and boost the male ego.

Actress Parvathy Thiruvothu was the first to call out "Kasaba's" unapologetic sexism, which instantly put all members of the Malayalam cinema on notice. After that, every movie was analyzed through the lens of how it treated its female characters, creating disruption and rethinking women's roles in mainstream movies. It won't be wrong to say that this movement also spread to neighbouring industries, causing all filmmakers to be mindful of treating their women characters right, and not merely using them for objectification.

It's noted that when Parvathy made those comments at a press conference against "Kasaba" and expressed her shock over a star like Mammootty playing a role glorifying biases against women, it was Geetu who nudged her to drop her initial hesitation and speak freely. "Say it, say it," Geethu said, and Parvathy obliged. And many changes that have happened in the fair treatment of women on-screen could be tied to that press conference in one way or another.

In the last decade, Mammootty has evolved as an actor and producer, making films that redefine the idea of stardom and exposing the limitations that are put on stars who hang on to it tightly. However, Nithin Renji Panicker seems to still carry a little hurt and remembers. And his candor in questioning Geethu must be appreciated, trying to hold her accountable for what she preaches. It's good for the industry and society.

However, the question is: did Nithin speak a little too soon? We just got a 59-second glimpse of Yash walking into what seems like an 80s dance bar. The teaser was clearly created in service of fans of Yash. In the scene, Yash isn't doing anything that we haven't seen him do in "KGF." Slow-motion shot. Check. Sharp suit. Check. Cigar. Check. A club with dancing girls. Double-check.

Yet, it includes some shock value, as many wonder how Geetu approved of it. It would have been a "hypocritical move" on Geetu's part, "celebrating the male gaze," if the movie's title was "Hero." But when it's not – it's "Toxic." If the teaser sneak peek foreshadows anything, it's likely going to show the ugly side of excess.

You cannot claim that "The Wolf of Wall Street" is a celebration of crooked and immoral men of the trade market. It's like saying "Babylon" glorifies the decadence and excess of Hollywood during its transition from silent films to talkies in the late 1920s.

What if "Toxic" is an indictment of toxic masculinity behaviour? Before we jump to conclusions, especially in matters of the art, one could always benefit from exercising a little patience.