Sep 21, 2026 5:56pm IST
‘Natural Star’ Nani On The Pressure Around ‘The Paradise’: ‘I Will Be Relieved Once The Film Is Released’ (EXCLUSIVE)
It’s a Telugu film that’s been talked about as much for lead actor Nani’s radically distinct look and Anirudh Ravichander’s winning score. “The Paradise” comes laden with the burden of audience expectations ahead of its theatrical release on Sep. 24, 2026. In an exclusive interview with Variety India, he discusses reuniting with director Srikanth Odela after “Dasara,” his expectations from “The Paradise” and coping with the pressures that come with tentpole releases like this one. Excerpts…
You last collaborated with Srikanth Odela on ‘Dasara’ in 2023. How different was it teaming up with him for ‘The Paradise’?
I could see his evolution in this film. “Dasara” was his first film and he needed guidance from all of us on the team. But I could see that clear shift when it came to ‘The Paradise,” where he was fully in control of everything. [This time around], he was sure about what he wanted and the way he took control of everything was remarkable. As far as “Dasara” goes, Srikanth comes from this small town called Godavarikhani in Telangana and his dad worked in a coal mine there. He understood that world well and was able to make a film like “Dasara.” But when it came to “The Paradise,” a lot of research was required. When Srikanth was directing “Dasara,” he never imagined he’d do something like “The Paradise.” But the way he has researched and evolved to make a film like this is admirable. “The Paradise” is based in Hyderabad in an area called Paradise, which still exists.
Related Stories
‘The Paradise’ comes with very high expectations. Feel the pressure?
I definitely do feel the pressure, but it is not for myself. I am not worried about what will happen or how the film will perform or how it will help me as an actor. I don’t think from that perspective at all. But because this is the first time I have spent this kind of time on the film and also a lot of money has been spent on making it, I just want to ensure that everybody, every stakeholder in this film benefits from the movie. I have experimented with a film like this for the first time and at such a large scale. So, I just want everyone involved to be happy with the end result and also make money. That's all. I think I'll be relieved once the film is released.
Popular on Variety
What about fulfilling audience expectations?
Absolutely. That's always there. That’s always the case, be it with “The Paradise” or any other film of mine. In fact, right from my first film, that has always been the goal: to ensure that the audience don’t get disappointed.
Comments are moderated. They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications.