Nani’s latest action drama The Paradise arrived in theatres on September 24, 2026, with massive advance bookings and the biggest opening of his career. The Srikanth Odela-directed film collected Rs 76.90 crore worldwide on Day 1, according to trade tracker Sacnilk. Yet, for many viewers, the near three-hour runtime has turned the theatre experience into a slow, exhausting wait. The film runs for 2 hours and 54 minutes, and a large number of reviews and social media posts point to the same issue: the story runs out of steam long before the credits roll.
The Runtime Problem Nobody Can Ignore
The Paradise is not just a long film. It is a film that feels even longer than its actual runtime. The movie runs for nearly 174 minutes, and critics across major publications have flagged the length as a serious pacing problem. A review from WION stated plainly that watching the film in theatres is “a test of patience”. The Telangana Tribune noted that most reviewers said the film loses momentum after the interval, pointing to repetitive scenes, extended violence, and an emotional core that does not fully develop.
The first hour of The Paradise packs enough plot and conflict to fill an entire film. As the Hindustan Times review observed, there is so much crammed into those 60 minutes that it makes you wonder if the makers were worried they might not get another two hours to tell the remaining story. That packed first hour works for some viewers, but the second half becomes a different story altogether.
What the Second Half Does Wrong
Post-interval, The Paradise shifts into a loop of mourning, violence, and more mourning. The Variety India review described a stretch of “beheading, some more mourning and some more beheadings and severing of limbs” before the film finally settles down. The WION review pointed out that while the action sequences deliver scale, there are simply too many of them. The Telangana Tribune added that the climax was called anticlimactic by several reviewers, and supporting characters like Kayadu Lohar’s Subbu received very limited space.
The mother-son emotional thread, which should have been the film’s backbone, fails to land. A widely shared X review noted that the mother character was not established strongly enough for the sentiment to connect with the audience. Another viewer wrote that the second half “completely falls apart with random cuts, abrupt transitions and poorly connected scenes”.
Nani’s Performance and the Film’s Strong Points
Nani is not the problem. His physical transformation and commitment to the role of Jadal have been praised across reviews. The WION review called him “the strongest aspect” of the film, noting his intense approach to action sequences and changed body language. The Telangana Tribune observed that he appears with braids and a beard, adopting a leaner frame and harder gait for the character.
Mohan Babu brings a commanding presence as the feudal antagonist Shikanja Maalik, and Sonali Kulkarni gives weight to the mother’s role. Anirudh Ravichander’s music, particularly the song Aaya Sher, has received appreciation from some viewers. The production design and cinematography by CH Sai convincingly create the dark, rough world of 1980s Secunderabad.
But strong individual elements cannot fix a screenplay that spreads itself too thin. The Indian Express review noted that the film relies on tired tropes and familiar templates. The Hindustan Times review compared it to a cinematic copy-paste job, blending elements from KGF, Peddi, and Shamshera without adding anything original.
What Viewers Are Saying on Social Media
Early reactions on X have been sharply divided. Some viewers praised the interval block and Anirudh’s background score, while others called it the worst film of Nani’s career. One viral post read:
“Film feels completed in the first half itself. #Nani gives his all, but the film doesn’t work in his favour. The second half completely falls apart with random cuts, abrupt transitions and poorly connected scenes.”
Another viewer wrote:
“3 hours in a mental hospital would do you less harm than 3 hours into this Nani’s flick.”
A more balanced reaction gave the film three stars, praising the jail fight, the interval sequence, and the mother sentiment in the second half, but pointing to the pre-climax setup and continuity issues as major drawbacks. Critic Christopher Kanagaraj wrote on X that the “Mass Avatar doesnt suit Nani” and called out “Loud BGM & Worst Edits” as key problems.
Box Office: A Record Opening Despite the Criticism
The negative word of mouth has not stopped The Paradise from posting big numbers on Day 1. The film collected Rs 34.65 crore net in India across 9,732 shows, with an India gross of Rs 54.90 crore. Overseas markets added Rs 22 crore, pushing the worldwide gross to Rs 76.90 crore. This is nearly double Nani’s previous biggest opener, HIT: The Third Case, which had collected Rs 21 crore net on Day 1.
However, when compared to other Telugu stars, the opening is more modest. Prabhas’ The Raja Saab opened to Rs 100.20 crore worldwide, and Ram Charan’s Peddi collected Rs 110.49 crore on Day 1. The Paradise had fewer shows than both, but the gap in worldwide gross is still significant.
Cast, Crew, and Production Details
The Paradise marks the second collaboration between Nani and director Srikanth Odela after Dasara (2023). The film also stars Raghav Juyal in his Telugu debut as Vikram Malik, Kayadu Lohar as the female lead, Mohan Babu, Sonali Kulkarni, and Sampoornesh Babu. Keerthy Suresh makes a special appearance. The technical team includes composer Anirudh Ravichander, cinematographer CH Sai, editor Navin Nooli, and production designer Avinash Kolla. The film is produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the banner of SLV Cinemas.
Global Release and OTT Streaming
The Paradise released in theatres worldwide on September 24, 2026, across eight languages: Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, English, Spanish, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam. The makers reportedly approached Ryan Reynolds to present the film in international markets.
For viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, the film is screening in select theatres in its original Telugu version and dubbed versions. Netflix has acquired the streaming rights, and the film will arrive on the platform after its theatrical run. The makers have not yet announced an official OTT release date.
Nani Defends The Paradise A Certificate, Says Film Has Drama and Love Beyond Its High Violence
The Deleted Scene and Actor’s Defense
Supporting actor Remo Raheem revealed that a 5-7 minute scene of his was cut from the final film due to its length. He posted on Instagram that the experience caused him “deep mental anguish,” but he still defended the film. “If you keep looking for logic, no film will satisfy you. Please watch a movie as a movie. Don’t kill cinema, support it,” he wrote.
Censor Rating and Content Warnings
The Paradise received an A certificate from India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) due to excessive violence and bloodshed. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) also issued a warning for “strong bloody violence,” including stabbing, slashing, and impalement. The film features scenes of s*xual humiliation and harm to a pregnant woman, which viewers should be aware of before booking tickets.
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The Final Word on the 3-Hour Wait
The Paradise is a film that tries to do too much and ends up doing too little well. The first half builds a gritty world and delivers a powerful interval block. The second half stretches that world thin, repeating the same dramatic beats without earning the emotional payoff. Nani gives his all, but even his commitment cannot carry a screenplay that loses its way. For viewers planning to watch the film in theatres, the near three-hour runtime is not just a number. It is the central reason why so many are walking out feeling exhausted rather than entertained.
The Paradise OTT release details, box office day 1 numbers, and Nani’s biggest opener decoded, all on VvipTimes
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