Filmmaker Geetu Mohandas has publicly applauded celebrated couturier Manish Malhotra for crafting Kiara Advani's character look as Nadia in the highly anticipated gangster drama Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, calling the experience of working with him 'something else entirely.' Mohandas shared her admiration in a heartfelt note on Instagram, highlighting how Malhotra's meticulous approach brought the fictional character to life through costume.

What Geetu Mohandas Said

In her Instagram post, Mohandas wrote: 'I had the privilege of wearing a Manish Malhotra sari for the trailer launch. Working with Manish Malhotra on Kiara's look for Toxic and experiencing his attention to detail firsthand was something else entirely. Every drape, every embroidery thread, every finish felt considered.'

She further noted how Malhotra's process goes beyond aesthetics: 'Nothing left to chance. What struck me most was how personal he makes the process. He understands the character, the moment, the mood you're trying to create, and then builds the outfit around that story.'

Mohandas concluded her tribute warmly: 'Nadia came alive in his clothes. Thank you, Manish. I can't wait to work with you again.'

About the Film Toxic

Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is a high-stakes gangster film featuring Yash in a dual role, alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria, and Rukmini Vasanth. The film is reportedly budgeted between ₹500 crore and ₹1,000 crore, positioning it among the most expensive Indian productions ever mounted.

The story follows Raya, a violent gangster and playboy who ascended to the heights of the criminal underworld before his downfall. The narrative takes a sharp turn when his biological son Rumi, also known as Ticket, returns to seek revenge after being abandoned by Raya along with his mother.

Geetu Mohandas: A Director of National Repute

Mohandas is a two-time National Award winner, recognised for her 2013 film Liar's Dice, which also served as India's official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 87th Academy Awards. Her involvement with Toxic underscores the film's ambition to blend mainstream spectacle with credible creative direction.

Manish Malhotra's Role in Indian Cinema

Malhotra has long been one of Bollywood's most sought-after costume designers, known for his ability to translate character psychology into fabric and silhouette. His collaboration on Toxic appears to follow that tradition, with Mohandas specifically noting that 'every finish felt considered' — a testament to a design philosophy that treats costume as storytelling.

As the film's release approaches, the spotlight on Kiara Advani's look as Nadia is likely to intensify, with audiences and fashion observers alike watching how Malhotra's designs serve the film's dark, operatic world.