Brazilian actress Beatriz Taufenbach deactivates social media profile amid online backlash over Yash starrer 'Toxic' teaser

Released on January 8, 2026, to coincide with Rocking Star Yash’s birthday, the teaser for 'Toxic' was intended to showcase the gritty, "grown-up" vision of director Geetu Mohandas. However, a brief but intimate sequence set in a cemetery featuring Yash and Beatriz Taufenbach became the focal point of the controversy.While fans were initially bowled over by the dark aesthetic, with the 'Cemetery Girl' quickly became the target of online moral policing. Director Geetu Mohandas had recently confirmed Taufenbach's identity to satisfy global curiosity, but that recognition soon turned into a barrage of online trolling and criticism for the actress.

CBFC complaints and legal hurdles

The backlash from social media comments escalated to a formal legal action. A complaint was filed with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), alleging that the content is "morally offensive" and lacks proper age-restriction warnings for minors.

The women’s wing of a political party of Karnataka unit appealed to the Karnataka State Commission for Women, arguing the scene degrades the dignity of women.The Women’s Commission has reportedly written to the CBFC seeking a review of the teaser’s certification and the removal of "obscene" frames. Parallelly, critics have argued that using a cemetery as a backdrop for a steamy sequence insults cultural and religious sentiments.

Before the Toxic teaser, Beatriz Taufenbach was a relatively low-profile Brazilian model and singer who began her career in 2014. Her sudden leap into the Indian spotlight was meant to be her big break. Instead, the "Cemetery Girl" has been met with such intense scrutiny that her Instagram handle is now inactive. Insiders suggest the deactivation is a temporary measure to avoid "toxic" comments while the production house and legal teams handle the CBFC fallout.