Actor Gulshan Devaiah, riding high on a successful phase with consecutive hits, recently made a surprising revelation. He disclosed that he was offered a role in superstar Yash's highly anticipated pan-India film, 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups', but had to turn it down. This comes after his acclaimed Kannada debut in the blockbuster 'Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1'.
Why Gulshan Devaiah Said No to a 'Big Franchise-Level Project'
In a candid interview, Devaiah explained the difficult decision to reject the offer from director Geetu Mohandas. He cited scheduling issues as the primary reason. "They did offer me Toxic a long time ago," Devaiah stated. He emphasized that while director Geetu Mohandas was keen to have him on board, the logistics proved too challenging.
"Their film was so big and had so many different parts. I already had things going on here that I was finding difficult to manage. If I took up another big franchise-level project, it wouldn’t work out," the actor elaborated. He chose to begin his South Indian film journey with 'Kantara' instead, a decision that paid off handsomely.
Navigating a Career Between Mumbai and Bengaluru
Despite his growing popularity and increased work opportunities in Karnataka's capital, Devaiah clarified that he is not shifting his base from Mumbai to Bengaluru yet. "My parents’ house is in Bengaluru. I’ve started getting more work there. If something interesting comes up, I’ll definitely do it," he said.
However, he acknowledged the strategic dilemma after a powerful debut. "But it’s so tricky that after debuting in the Kannada film industry with Kantara, where do you put your next step?" This indicates a thoughtful approach to selecting his follow-up projects in the regional industry.
All About 'Toxic' and Its Star-Studded Cast
The film Devaiah referred to, 'Toxic', is one of the most awaited Indian films. Directed by National Award winner Geetu Mohandas, it features an ensemble cast led by Yash. The lineup includes Rukmini Vasanth, Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi, Akshay Oberoi, and Sudev Nair.
Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, the film is slated for a massive theatrical release on 19 March 2026, coinciding with the festival of Ugadi. It is set for a major box office clash with Aditya Dhar's 'Dharundhar 2', starring Ranveer Singh.
What's Next for Gulshan Devaiah?
While his next Kannada project post-'Kantara' is yet to be announced, Devaiah's immediate focus is on the Hindi web series circuit. He will be seen next in Reema Kagti’s 'Dahaad 2' alongside Sonakshi Sinha.
Reports suggest filming was scheduled for December 2025, with the script locked and the series in pre-production. Sonakshi Sinha reprises her role as SI Anjali Bhaati, and the makers are casting for a strong antagonist, much like the first season. This confirms Devaiah's continued prominence in high-quality digital content alongside his cinematic pursuits.
