Key Highlights:

  • Nani called 'The Paradise' the most physically and mentally tiring film of his 18-year career.
  • The actor denied viral claims about underwater sequences and a fight involving 1000 people.
  • 'The Paradise' releases in theatres on September 24.
  • Producer Sudhakar Cherukuri confirmed the release date despite ongoing rumours about the film.
  • Director Srikanth Odela described it as an emotional story about a mother, son and a marginalised community's fight for belonging.

Nani Opens Up on the Toll of 'The Paradise'

Actor Nani, who leads director Srikanth Odela's much-anticipated Telugu action entertainer "The Paradise," has revealed that the film demanded more from him than any other project in his career. Speaking to the media ahead of the film's September 24 release, Nani said, "The Paradise is the most tiring film of my career, both physically and mentally. If there has been a film for which I have worked very hard in these 18 years of my film career, it is 'The Paradise.'"

Why This Admission Carries Weight

For an actor with nearly two decades of work behind him, singling out one film as the most demanding of an entire career is a notable statement, particularly for someone known for a fairly wide range of roles across genres. Coming just weeks before release, the comment also serves to frame audience expectations, signalling that the film's action and emotional demands go beyond what Nani has previously undertaken on screen, without revealing specific plot details that might give away the story.

Setting the Record Straight on Viral Rumours

Nani used the same interaction to directly address speculation that had been circulating about the film's content. Addressing claims about underwater sequences, he clarified, "There are various news reports about the movie on social media. There is no underwater sequence in it. There is also no fight with a 1000 people as is being claimed." He described the story instead as genuine and grounded, built around substantial action blocks designed to deliver both a visceral high and emotional weight. "This is a genuine story and there are a lot of action blocks. There are scenes that will give audiences a good high. The audience will feel the emotion in the violence," he said.

Why Addressing Rumours Directly Matters

Pre-release speculation, especially exaggerated claims about scale or stunts, has become common in the promotional cycle for big Telugu action films, often amplified by fan pages and social media before a studio can offer clarity. Nani and the team's decision to directly refute specific rumours, rather than letting them build unchecked, suggests an effort to manage audience expectations precisely rather than relying on vague excitement alone, an approach that could help the film be judged on its actual content rather than inflated pre-release claims.

Producer Confirms the Release Date

Producer Sudhakar Cherukuri used the occasion to reaffirm the film's theatrical release, addressing the broader climate of speculation surrounding the project. "There are all kinds of rumours doing the rounds about The Paradise. The movie is arriving on September 24. We are very happy with the way things have shaped up," he said, projecting confidence despite the noise around the film's development.

Director Srikanth Odela on the Story's Emotional Core

Director Srikanth Odela, addressing a few questions from the media, acknowledged that the film had faced some delay but noted that every promotional update, from the glimpse to the teaser and songs, had generated a strong response. He described "The Paradise" as a revolutionary and emotional film centred on the relationship between a mother and son, set against the backdrop of a marginalised community. Referencing a line by the poet Kaloji, "We own our birth, we own our death, but our entire life belongs to the nation," Odela framed the film as the story of people who fought for their country, only to find themselves without a place in it, eventually pushed to fight back out of desperation rather than choice.

What Lies Ahead

With Nani's candid admission about the film's demands, the producer's confirmation of the release date, and the director's framing of its emotional and social themes, "The Paradise" arrives at theatres on September 24 carrying a mix of anticipation and clarified expectations, positioning it as a film built on genuine narrative stakes rather than the exaggerated claims that had briefly overshadowed its promotional run.