Yash Believed in Me When Nobody Else Did: Geetu Mohandas

Director Geetu Mohandas, who is making the highly anticipated pan-India action film Toxic with Yash, says the actor’s trust played a crucial role in her journey. Speaking ahead of the film’s grand release, she recalled how she chose to make a large-scale project after establishing herself with critically acclaimed films.

Geetu began her career as a child actor and later transitioned into filmmaking. Her directorial debut Liar’s Dice received two National Film Awards and became India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 87th Academy Awards. Her subsequent film Moothon, made in Hindi and Malayalam, also earned international recognition. Geetu said she never expected to receive so many honours after becoming a filmmaker.

She also recalled her early connection with Telugu cinema and her long association with actor Mohanlal. Born Gayatri Das in Kerala and raised in Malaysia and Canada, she entered Malayalam cinema as a child actor at the age of five. She later worked as an actress in Tamil and Malayalam films before taking a break from acting and moving into filmmaking. Her short film was screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and received several awards, while it was also included as a lesson in a Kerala Class 12 textbook.

Geetu said her relationship with cinematographer and filmmaker Rajeev Ravi also played an important role in her filmmaking journey. The two first met while working on a Malayalam film and remained friends for several years before getting married in 2009. She later learned various aspects of filmmaking from him during her break from cinema.

Addressing criticism surrounding Toxic, Geetu said she faced strong reactions after the release of a glimpse featuring Yash’s character, particularly over intimate scenes. She felt some of the criticism was influenced by the fact that the film was directed by a woman. According to her, conversations around women’s freedom, consent and pleasure are still evolving in society.

Geetu described Yash as much more than a star, producer, actor and co-writer. She called him a “deep emotion” in her life and said she would always remain grateful for the faith he placed in her. Despite people telling Yash that she might not be able to complete such a massive film, he continued to support her for more than four years. Geetu said that belief gave her the confidence to complete Toxic.