Nani has spoken out about the sharply divided response to his latest film The Paradise, calling it the first time in his 18-year career and 33 films that he has faced such extreme reactions. The Telugu star addressed the polarised reception during a post-release conversation with director Srikanth Odela, saying the intense backlash actually reflects how deeply audiences trust their actor-director partnership. The film released worldwide on September 24, 2026, and crossed the ₹100 crore mark in India on Day 6 despite mixed-to-negative reviews.
Key Facts
- Film: The Paradise
- Lead Actor: Nani as Jadal
- Director: Srikanth Odela
- Release Date: September 24, 2026
- Languages: Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada
- Opening Day (India Net): ₹34.65 crore
- Day 1 Worldwide Gross: ₹46.25 crore (Nani’s career-best opening)
- India Total (Day 6): ₹101.50 crore net
- Worldwide Gross (Day 6): ₹150.50 crore
- OTT Partner: Netflix (after theatrical run)
- Runtime: 2 hours 54 minutes
What Did Nani Say About The Paradise Reactions?
Nani said the extreme reactions to The Paradise are a first in his career. In a chat with director Srikanth Odela, he explained that even the negative responses carried a level of emotion he had not seen before.
“Out of 33 films I made in my 18 years of career, this is the first time I am experiencing something like this. But even when someone says they didn’t like the film, there is a passion behind that response, an aggressive honesty. When someone says ‘this didn’t work for me’ with that kind of intensity, it tells you something. That is also positive in a way.”
The actor did not dismiss the criticism. He said the strong expectations and emotional reactions showed that he and Odela had built a genuine connection with audiences after their first film, Dasara (2023). For Nani, the trust that led viewers to enter theatres with high hopes was a positive sign, no matter how the reactions appeared on the surface.
What Was the Box Office Performance of The Paradise?
The film opened to a massive ₹46.25 crore worldwide on Day 1, the biggest opening of Nani’s career. India net collections on day one stood at ₹34.65 crore. The numbers dropped sharply on Day 2 to ₹14.90 crore, recovered slightly over the weekend with ₹15.25 crore and ₹15.70 crore, and then fell to ₹5 crore on its first Monday.
By Day 6, the film crossed ₹100 crore in India net, reaching ₹101.50 crore. Its worldwide gross stood at ₹150.50 crore. This makes The Paradise Nani’s first film to enter the ₹100 crore club in India, surpassing his previous best openers like HIT: The Third Case and Saripodhaa Sanivaaram.
What Is The Paradise About?
The Paradise is a period action drama set in 1980s Secunderabad. It follows the Savaari, a marginalised tribe that has been left without citizenship, land, or official documentation decades after India’s independence. Nani plays Jadal, the son of tribal leader Sammakka (played by Sonali Kulkarni). After 14 years in prison, Jadal returns to find his community still fighting for legal recognition.
Mohan Babu plays the feudal overlord Shikanja Malik, and Raghav Juyal plays his son Vikram Malik. The story follows Sammakka and Jadal as they clash with the Maliks and with a system that refuses to recognise their existence. Kayadu Lohar plays the female lead.
Why Did Critics and Audiences React So Differently?
Reviews were sharply divided. The Hindu called it an “emotionally distant, epic misfire,” noting that Nani’s physical transformation was striking but could not make up for a narrative that struggled to establish its characters. Filmfare gave it 2.5/5, describing it as a “violent and mass drama that hardly finds emotional weight.” Pinkvilla rated it 1.5/5, saying Nani’s controlled performance and Anirudh Ravichander’s music could not save an “uncreative and flat action thriller.”
Some viewers praised the world-building, action sequences, and Nani’s commitment to the role. Others criticised the writing and execution, particularly in the second half. The polarised response on social media became a talking point in itself, with some fans sharing clips to defend the film while others strongly criticised it.
What Did Director Srikanth Odela Say About the Response?
Srikanth Odela admitted he was still trying to understand the contrasting reactions. In the same conversation with Nani, he said the response left him blank.
“I literally got shocked at a few things, and for a few things, I am not understanding them. I mean, genuinely, I don’t understand what it is; I don’t understand the reaction of those who said it’s good, and I don’t understand the reaction of those who said it’s not good. It is just that blank for me. Maybe it will take a week to understand what exactly it is.”
Odela compared the response to their previous collaboration, Dasara, saying the audience reaction to that film became clearer much faster.
Did Nani and Srikanth Odela Fight During Filming?
Reports of disagreements between Nani and Odela during the making of The Paradise circulated before release. Odela addressed them at a makers’ event, confirming that some tension was real but framing it as part of a close working relationship.
“I mean, yes, in that, Nani anna scolding me is a fact, and the words I spoke to him might also be true,” Odela said. He explained that these moments should not define their relationship or their cinema, adding that Nani has to continue supporting him because he was the one who brought Odela into the film industry.
What Did Nani Say in His Social Media Statement?
Nani shared a note on X after the release, acknowledging both the praise and the criticism. He said he had seen all the reactions and had learned from the flaws pointed out by critics and reviewers.
“I have seen all your reactions and responses. I’ve received all your love and equally enjoyed your hilarious trolls. I’m heartwarmed by the way audience have owned the film, and also learnt from the flaws that critics and reviewers have pointed out. We have made #TheParadise with a lot of blood and sweat to give you a unique experience, and it’s all yours to celebrate or judge. With the excitement you had for the film and the affection you showed on me, I am filled with gratitude.”
What Is The Paradise OTT Release Date and Platform?
Netflix has acquired the streaming rights to The Paradise. The film will arrive on the platform after its theatrical run. An official OTT release date has not been announced yet. The makers are expected to reveal the streaming date once the theatrical window closes. The film released in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada.
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What Is Next for Nani and Srikanth Odela?
Nani said he hopes their next collaboration, should it happen, will win over those who felt disappointed by The Paradise. “The next one, whether it comes from Srikanth alone or from both of us together, has to be something where even the people who are upset right now, the ones who are saying they didn’t like this film, should walk out of the theatre celebrating. That is what we owe them,” he said.
Odela, meanwhile, said he wants to take a three-month break after the release. Nani’s The Paradise remains his highest-grossing film to date despite the divided reception, and the conversation around it continues to dominate Telugu cinema discussions.
The Paradise has sparked one of the most intense debates in recent Telugu cinema, and Nani’s measured response to the backlash shows why he remains one of the industry’s most respected voices. The film’s Netflix debut will give more viewers a chance to judge it for themselves.
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