Nani has teamed up with director Srikanth Odela for The Paradise, the Telugu action drama which has hit the theatres on September 24, 2026. This is the second time the star and the director have worked together after Dasara and it was one of the most anticipated Telugu releases of the year.
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Besides Nani, Kayadu Lohar is playing the female lead while the supporting characters are played by Raghav Juyal, Mohan Babu, Sonali Kulkarni and Sampoornesh Babu. The movie features music composed by Anirudh Ravichander and the film is being produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the banner Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Cinemas.
Nani Plays Jadal
Nani is cast in the role of Jadal, who belongs to a minority community and stays in 1980s Secunderabad.
The narrative leads us into the lives of the Savari community and explores issues of identity, dignity, resilience and violence. The teaser already promised a totally different avatar for Nani.
In preparation for his role the actor had to physically change and take on a tougher appearance, including wearing long braids and facial hair, and a more skinny frame. His acting was one of the elements praised in the film.
Vikram Malik is played by Raghav Juyal and Subbalakshmi is played by Kayadu Lohar. Shikanja Malik is played by Mohan Babu and Sammakka is played by Sonali Kulkarni.
Srikanth Odela Reunites With Nani
The Paradise is the second movie for Srikanth Odela and Nani after Dasara.
Their first combined work became a significant film for them, and when they revealed that they would be working on their second project together, things were not looking good.
This time Odela has stepped into a bigger action-drama world. It takes the form of a gritty and violent story, where rebellion and revenge are central to the story.
Instead of a standard trailer for the film was promoted. It was said by Nani before release that film’s makers will not shoot a standard trailer but would promote with teaser, songs and other promotional content to stir curiosity in viewers.
The Film Released With An A Certificate
The Central Board of Film Certification has rated Paradise A certificate owing to its violence.
The actual runtime of the film is just under three hours (according to various listings, it is 174 to 179 minutes).
The certification and lengthy duration suggested the film that Srikanth Odela had made to the audience.
The action is crucial to the film, as it’s a story using violence to convey the battle that Jadal and his community are going through.
Strong Opening At The Box Office
At the box office, the Paradise had a solid opening.
The film marked Nani’s biggest opening day ever, with trade reports pegging the film’s Day 1 worldwide collection at Rs 76.9 crore. Days before its release, the film’s robust pre-release sales and advance bookings had already signalled it was a much-anticipated affair.
By the third day, the worldwide collection was said to be approximately Rs 119.50 crore.
This figure continued to rise in the first week.
Rs 154.80 crore gross WW Rs 104.90 crore net in India in seven days, The Paradise became the first Nani starrer to hit Rs 100 crore net of market. The Indian Express, however, pointed out that the first seven days’ collections of the film saw it become the “most successful film of Nani’s career”.
Mixed Response From Audiences
It’s been a huge opening at the box office, but the film’s reception has been a little up and down.
Some viewers appreciated the action sequences, the scope and Nani’s performance. Others did not like the screenplay, its story and the second half of the film.
Indian Express review rated the movie as mixed, while praising Nani’s physical transformation and dedication, and questioning the screenplay.
It also found fault with the narration and emotion of the film while mentioning its over powering presence of action.
They have also received mixed reviews from the audience. Some Twitter comments celebrated Nani and Raghav Juyal’s acting, whereas others felt the writing and second half of the film were unimpressive.
Nani Responds To The Criticism
Nani on reaction to The Paradise Nani has further discussed the feeling towards The Paradise.
“I was surprised by this sort of response because I’ve never heard this from anyone about any of my old films. I think this is honest to an aggressive degree and I am taking it seriously,” the actor said.
Those comments did not come without the film being accepted and criticised by many viewers.
Nani has further stated that the viewers who watch the film are within their rights to react to it however they choose. Instead of disregarding the critique, he has expressed that it has provided him and the team with a lot of room for improvement.
Raghav Juyal Plays The Antagonist
The Paradise is also the sole responsibility of Raghav Juyal.
The ‘Kill’ actor plays a villain in this Telugu action flick.
Nani had earlier spoken highly about working with Juyal ahead of the film’s release. The actor had said he was quite awed by Juyal’s work in Kill already and he was quite impressed by the way he was struggling to learn Telugu while working on The Paradise.
This role also signifies Juyal’s step further into more intense and serious film roles.
Anirudh Ravichander Handles The Music
Anirudh Ravichander has scored the music and background score for the film The Paradise.
Prior to the release of the film, the songs released were Aaya Sher and Yeshanagula. The latter was well received due to its Telangana folk elements.
The soundtrack of Anirudh is the key source of the film’s action parts too.
Although some have loved the soundtrack, the background music has been criticised in respect to specific episodes by some viewers.
A Different Film For Nani
The Paradise is another tactical switch for Nani.
Having previously gone from love stories to family movies, thrillers and Bollywood blockbusters, his decision to go for a much more physical role in this one is a departure.
Jadal, alone but for the early loss of a nurturing mother, is not cast as a typical hero. He is from a rough social environment and is embroiled in a violent fight for existence and acknowledgement.
The depiction of 1980s Secunderabad sets the period while the community and political conflict, based on a fictionalised event, is the film’s narrative motivation.
The Paradise Completes Its First Week
After the first week, the film has collected a total worldwide gross of approximately Rs 154.80 crore, according to The Indian Express. The seventh day contributed approximately Rs 3.40 crore net in India.
The totals have also made The Paradise the highest first-week domestic gross of Nani’s career.
Theatrical run While the film’s front-loading front-run has in a way contributed to the first-week business of the film, its opening has played a major role in creating initial numbers. The Indian Express reported, “approximately 44 percent of the film’s first-week net domestics have come on the opening day alone.”
It will therefore be interesting to see whether or not the film survives beyond its initial crush.
Nani And Srikanth Odela’s Latest Collaboration
The Paradise reunites Nani and Srikanth Odela, but with a far different story and aesthetics than in Dasara.
There has been enormous craze for the film because of Nani’s transformation, Odela’s masala action block buster films and Anirudh’s music.
Its theatrical run has also sparked two very contrasting debates: solid box-office performance on one side and split audience response on the other.
For the moment, The Paradise has crossed Rs 100 crore India net barrier and Rs 150 crore gross worldwide mark during its week of release. This is Nani’s biggest theatrical release to date.
