Netizens get ageist about Kareena Kapoor’s casting in Yash’s Toxic; ask if she’s playing his mother

The team of Toxic is yet to acknowledge and issue confirmation or denial about the reports of Kareena Kapoor Khan’s casting, but netizens are already going ballistic with this supposed development. It’s not a casting choice they were hoping for, and their response to it has been less than savoury. Social media is abuzz with ageist comments, with netizens wondering if Kareena is playing Yash’s mother in the film. Comments ranged from, “Mother role ansuthe”, to “Amman role ga?” , “Why this old hag”, among others.

Kareena’s age notwithstanding (she is 43 and older than Yash), netizens were also displeased about her casting citing earlier instances of supposed disdain towards films from the south. Many also wondered why the team could not find Kannada talent instead for the role. As of now, Kareena and Shruti Haasan are reportedly attached to the project. Barring Yash, there is no other Kannadiga presence on the cast or crew yet, at least as per the information in the public domain.

Incidentally, during the promotions of Lal Singh Chaddha, Kareena was asked about ageism in the industry and she had said that it exists only on social media. Talented people will get work, as will those who look good onscreen, no matter their age, she said. And we could not agree more. Unlike KGF: Chapter 2, in which Raveena Tandon’s casting as Prime Minister Ramika Sen was widely welcomed, netizens have taken umbrage about Kareena in Toxic as there is no clarity about what role she could likely play in the film.

Toxic: After Shruti Haasan, Kareena Kapoor Khan rumoured to be the second of three leading ladies in Yash’s film 

Netizens seem to forget that the image of Yash in the title announcement video has him sporting a salt-and-pepper look, so, even if he were to be paired with Kareena, it would not be a misfit after all. Even if Yash were to play a character his age, what would be so wrong in pairing him with a good-looking and very popular actress who is a tad older than him? The actor’s real-life partner Radhika is according to information in the public domain, two years older than him. Also, just because Archana Jois, who is younger than Yash, played his mother in the KGF franchise, should that be the norm? Why should married actresses with kids be relegated to 'playing their age' when heroes pushing 70 are allowed to get away with roles half their age?  

Kareena Kapoor in Toxic – ‘It all makes sense now’, exclaim netizens, as actress’ Koffee With Karan comment on Yash resurfaces