Nayanthara has opened up about her decision to take on what has been described as a relatively short but important role in Yash-starrer Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The actress, who plays Ganga in the Geetu Mohandas directorial, said she never evaluates a film simply by the amount of screen time or whether it is a solo or multi-starrer.
In an interview with Variety India, Nayanthara explained that she looks for characters that have something meaningful to contribute to a story. According to the actress, Toxic offered her exactly that kind of opportunity. She described Ganga as a character she “couldn’t ignore,” emphasizing that the role had purpose within the larger narrative.
Nayanthara said she has never been particularly concerned about whether she is the sole lead in a movie or part of an ensemble. For her, the quality of the character and the impact it has on the story matter more than screen space.
Her comments come amid discussions about her comparatively limited presence in the film. Nayanthara plays Ganga alongside Yash, Kiara Advani, Rukmini Vasanth, Huma Qureshi and Tara Sutaria. Despite having less screen time than some of the principal characters, the actress believes Ganga has her own voice, choices and emotional journey and influences the progression of the story.
Interestingly, Nayanthara had initially been hesitant about joining Toxic. She revealed that the film's large ensemble cast made her cautious when director Geetu Mohandas first approached her. She initially declined the project, but eventually agreed to hear the narration after Geetu persuaded her. The detailed narration changed her mind and convinced her that the film offered something distinctive.
The actress's remuneration has also attracted attention. Various reports have put her Toxic fee at around Rs 12 crore, although remuneration figures circulating in the media have not been officially confirmed by the filmmakers. Some reports have cited a broader range of Rs 12 crore to Rs 18 crore.
Nayanthara's decision highlights her approach to choosing projects at a stage in her career when she can afford to be selective. Rather than pursuing films solely for their scale or commercial positioning, she says she wants characters that add genuine value to the narrative.
With Toxic now in theatres, Ganga's importance to the story has become a key part of discussions around Nayanthara's performance. For the actress, the role was worth accepting precisely because it offered substance beyond its screen duration.
