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John Wick fame JJ Perry hires special Indian stunt team for 45 days to shoot for Yash’s film Toxic

While most film shoots would typically slow or halt during Mumbai’s relentless monsoon, the crew of Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups is taking the opposite approach—fully embracing the rainstorm both creatively and on set.
August 25, 2025 / 13:28 IST
With celebrated Hollywood action director JJ Perry at the helm, the movie is currently part of what is being called one of the most ambitious action schedules ever attempted in Indian cinema.

While most film productions tend to slow down or even pause during Mumbai’s relentless monsoon season, the team behind Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups is doing the opposite—embracing the storm, both literally and creatively.

With celebrated Hollywood action director JJ Perry at the helm, the movie is currently part of what is being called one of the most ambitious action schedules ever attempted in Indian cinema. In the centre of the movie's Mumbai schedule, Perry, who is well-known for his work on action-packed scenes in popular franchises like John Wick, Fast & Furious, and Day Shift, is directing a rigorous 45-day action shoot.

Perry's choice of stunt team is what really stands out about this schedule. He has opted to work solely with an Indian stunt crew after previously collaborating with international stunt specialists for significant sequences. After personally witnessing their commitment, accuracy, and extraordinary talent, Perry made the decision to highlight domestic talent for one of the film’s most complex and challenging set pieces.

This choice underscores the growing recognition of Indian stunt professionals and their ability to execute world-class action sequences under demanding conditions, even amidst Mumbai’s unpredictable monsoon weather.

Perry shared his enthusiasm, saying, “This Indian crew is world-class. That’s precisely why I chose to work with them. We’re tackling a major sequence right now, and I’m super stoked about taking this on. It’s a challenge, but I love a great challenge—and this team is meeting it head-on. We’re here to push boundaries together—and that’s what filmmaking is.”

Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups is redefining the expectations for action scenes in India and establishing a new standard for the sector. The partnership between Perry and the Indian crew promises viewers an exciting cinematic experience that blends action direction of the highest calibre with the distinct energy and spirit of Indian filmmaking. It also brings a new perspective to the choreography and showcases the amazing skills of local stunt artists.

Director Geetu Mohandas, DNEG, producer Venkat K. Narayana, lead actor and producer Yash, and Perry worked closely together to plan this crucial scene over several months.

The partnership between Yash and Venkat K. Narayana has been instrumental in unlocking the massive budget and resources required to mount a project of this scale, shaping Toxic into a landmark film and one of the boldest cinematic undertakings in recent years.

The preparation for the action sequence included extensive storyboarding, previsualization, tactical rehearsals, and artistic discussions, all aimed at creating an action language that feels immersive, visceral, and entirely fresh for Indian cinema.

Also read: Coolie actor Soubin Shahir expresses gratitude as he shares pic with Aamir Khan from set: "Cinema is beyond just dreaming"

“In my 35 years in this industry, I’ve worked in 39 countries. I’m a fan of Indian cinema—it’s creative, artistic, and bold,” Perry said. “Getting the chance to work with Yash, Geetu, Venkat, and their incredible team has been a highlight. Geetu has great vision, and everyone from cinematographer Rajeev Ravi to the production designer and art team has been fantastic.”

Jointly produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups is a high-stakes, large-scale cinematic venture that blends depth with spectacle. The film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on March 19, 2026.

Entertainment desk
first published: Aug 25, 2025 01:28 pm

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