New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- "I was hoping to have a civilised conversation," says Melissa (Rukmini Vasanth) to the naked glowering gangster. Raya (Yash) glances down deliberately, then looks up and says, "Do I look civilised to you?" She pulls open her dress to reveal a bomb strapped to her chest, says she wants revenge for her father, who was ruined by Raya's casino. He sets off the timer and propositions her while she panics. At the last moment, he flings the explosive out the window. Next thing you know, she's threatening his 'regular' and calling herself his 'permanent'.

Toxic is thin as paper and hollow like an empty promise. Not since Animal has a film tried this hard to get a rise out of the audience. But Sandeep Reddy Vanga at least kn...