Comedian Samay Raina took a sharp, unfiltered dig at the box office underperformance of Yash’s big-budget pan-India film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups right in front of cast member Huma Qureshi during a recent episode of his hit comedy panel show, India’s Got Latent.
Released in theatres on August 26, 2026, Toxic marked Kannada superstar Yash’s first big-screen outing in four years after the KGF franchise. Despite massive pre-release hype and a sprawling ensemble cast, the film drew divisive reviews and wrapped up its theatrical run under ₹350 crore against a heavy production budget.
Inside Samay Raina and Huma Qureshi’s Viral Banter
Huma Qureshi, who portrayed the character Elizabeth in Toxic, appeared as a celebrity panellist on India’s Got Latent, where Raina wasted no time bringing up the film’s commercial fate:
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- The Opening Jab: Raina teased Huma on stage, quipping: “Usually people come on India’s Got Latent, and then their movie flops. You’re the first one to flop a movie and then show up here.”
- Huma’s Quick Comeback: Huma shot back effortlessly, replying: “Dude, I just acted in a movie named Toxic, you’re literally toxic in life.” When Raina countered with “But at least people watch me,” Huma pointed out that “hate-watching” drives high metrics nowadays—prompting Raina to joke that the same metric would help Toxic after seeing its steamy trailer.
- All in Good Spirit: Laughing at Raina’s trademark roasting style, Huma remarked that while he is polite and well-spoken when inviting guests onto the show, he starts “spitting out poison” the moment the cameras roll.
”Usually people come on India’s Got Latent, and then their movie flops. You’re the first one to flop a movie and then show up here.”
— Samay Raina to Huma Qureshi on India’s Got Latent
Why ‘Toxic’ Faced Divisive Reviews
Directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic also featured Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria in pivotal roles. Cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with an ‘A’ rating and zero cuts, the film sparked widespread debate post-release over its graphic violence, intimate sequences, and depiction of female characters, with critics arguing that its narrative lacked emotional depth despite its stylized anti-hero premise.
