Highlights
- Kiara Advani says husband Sidharth Malhotra was unfazed by her intimate scenes with Yash in Toxic.
- The actress addressed the online backlash during an appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 9.
- She also highlighted the double standards faced by married actresses in the film industry, comparing the scrutiny to criticism experienced by Aishwarya Rai.
Kiara Advani has revealed that her husband, Sidharth Malhotra, was not concerned about her intimate scenes with Yash in the upcoming film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups.
The actress discussed the controversy surrounding the film during an appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 9, where she appeared alongside Malhotra. She also spoke about the criticism directed at her online and the wider double standards faced by women in Bollywood.
Kiara Advani addresses backlash over Toxic scenes with Yash
The controversy gained attention following the release of Tabaahi, a song from Toxic, which features intimate scenes between Kiara and Yash.
Some social media users criticised the actress, with discussions also bringing her marriage and motherhood into the conversation. There was speculation about how Malhotra might react to the scenes.
Speaking about the response, Kiara said she had not felt the need to justify her work or explain her choices to others.
She also acknowledged the people who called out the hypocrisy surrounding the criticism, particularly the different standards applied to male and female actors.
Sidharth Malhotra was not bothered by the scenes
During the conversation, Karan Johar pointed out that married male actors rarely face the same level of scrutiny over intimate scenes, highlighting the gender imbalance in the industry.
Kiara made it clear that Malhotra had not objected to her scenes with Yash.
“He had not cared about it. He has never brought it up. We have never spoken about it. It did not affect him, he was not bothered,” she said.
Her comments challenged speculation about the couple's relationship and the idea that an actress's on-screen work should require approval or explanation from her husband.
Kiara compares criticism to scrutiny faced by Aishwarya Rai
Kiara also said the criticism directed at actresses over their personal lives and professional choices was not new.
“It has been happening now for donkey years, for decades. From Aishwarya to so many wonderful actors,” she said.
Her reference to Aishwarya Rai placed the Toxic controversy within a longer history of actresses facing public scrutiny over their relationships, marriages and on-screen performances.
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is set in post-independence Goa and follows a gangster story. Yash plays Raya and his son Rumi, while Kiara portrays Nadia, Rumi's mother.
Kiara has described the role as a defining one and said she was initially disappointed by the response during the film's first weekend, despite its strong opening. She also reflected on stepping outside her comfort zone for the project.
