Kiara Advani has opened up about the backlash surrounding her intimate scenes with Yash in Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, revealing that husband Sidharth Malhotra was never bothered by the controversy. During their appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 9, the couple discussed the online criticism, the scrutiny faced by married actresses and the impact of the film’s box-office performance.
The conversation took place when host Karan Johar brought up the criticism Kiara faced following the promotional rollout of Toxic, particularly the reactions to her intimate scenes with Yash. Some social media users questioned her decision to perform such scenes after marriage, turning a discussion about her professional choices into a debate about her personal life.
Addressing how Sidharth reacted to the controversy, Kiara made it clear that the issue had never become a subject of disagreement between them. She said her husband did not pay attention to the criticism and had never questioned her about the scenes.
“He had not cared about it. He has never brought it up. We have never spoken about it. It did not affect him, he was not bothered,” Kiara said during the conversation.
Her statement offered a glimpse into how the couple handled the online discussion privately. Rather than allowing social media reactions to influence their relationship, they chose not to make the controversy an issue between them. Sidharth also agreed that the subject had never become a discussion at home.
Kiara Advani Calls Out Double Standards Faced by Married Actresses
The conversation also turned towards the different standards applied to married male and female actors in the film industry. Karan Johar pointed out how actresses often face greater scrutiny for performing romantic or intimate scenes, while married male actors are not necessarily subjected to the same level of personal criticism.
Kiara agreed with his observation and said that such judgement was not new. According to the actress, women in the entertainment industry have faced similar scrutiny for decades, with several established performers having experienced it before her.
“It has been happening now for donkey years, for decades. From Aishwarya to so many wonderful actors,” she remarked.
Kiara also explained why she did not feel the need to issue a public justification when the criticism first gained attention. She had noticed that many people online were already questioning the hypocrisy behind the backlash, which made her feel that a separate defence of her professional choices was unnecessary.
The discussion highlighted a larger issue surrounding the way actresses’ on-screen roles are sometimes judged through the lens of their marriages and personal lives. Kiara’s comments brought attention back to the distinction between an actor’s professional decisions and their private relationships.
Kiara Says Toxic’s Box-Office Performance Left Her Heartbroken
Apart from the controversy surrounding her scenes with Yash, Kiara also spoke about the theatrical performance of Toxic. Despite generating considerable anticipation and opening strongly, the film did not sustain the expected momentum at the box office.
The actress admitted that the initial response was difficult to process, particularly because the team had not anticipated the film’s underwhelming performance. She described the opening weekend as heartbreaking and revealed that she felt very low during that period.
“On day one, it is heartbreaking,” Kiara said, reflecting on the film’s performance. She added that it was especially difficult because the team had not expected the film to misfire despite its strong opening.
However, the actress also found encouragement in the appreciation she received for her performance. She said that audiences recognised her decision to step outside her comfort zone and take on a different kind of role. That response helped her look at the experience from another perspective.
Kiara described the role as a defining part of her journey, suggesting that the appreciation for her performance remained meaningful even though the film’s commercial outcome was disappointing.
Sidharth also shared his perspective on how the industry responds to films that fail to meet expectations. He spoke about the tendency to dismiss projects too quickly based on their box-office performance and stressed the importance of supporting the work of fellow industry members.
Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani Expecting Their Second Child
Away from their professional commitments, Sidharth and Kiara are preparing for another important chapter in their personal lives. The couple announced in October 2026 that they are expecting their second child.
They are already parents to their daughter, Saraayah. Their appearance together on Koffee With Karan Season 9 offered viewers a glimpse into their relationship, including how they navigate public attention while continuing to pursue their individual careers.
The conversation also underlined the mutual understanding they share when it comes to professional choices. Kiara’s account of Sidharth’s response to the Toxic backlash made one thing clear: the online criticism never became a point of conflict between the two.
As the discussion around the film continues, her comments have also brought renewed attention to the double standards actresses can face when their on-screen performances become subjects of debate about their personal lives.
