Nani’s ‘The Paradise’ Makes Strong Box Office Debut Despite Mixed Reviews

New Delhi, Sep 26 : Nani’s latest Telugu film The Paradise has opened strongly at the box office following its worldwide theatrical release on September 24. Directed by Srikanth Odela, the action drama has generated substantial audience interest, particularly in Telugu-speaking markets, while early reports have highlighted a mixed response to the film’s narrative.

According to box-office figures reported on September 25, The Paradise earned Rs 34.65 crore net in India on its opening day. The film’s India gross was reported at Rs 54.90 crore, while its overseas gross stood at around Rs 20 crore, taking its reported worldwide gross to Rs 74.90 crore after the first day.

The opening represents a significant milestone for Nani. Hindustan Times reported that the film registered the actor’s biggest opening to date, surpassing the opening figures of earlier releases including Dasara, HIT: The Third Case and Saripodhaa Sanivaaram.

The film stars Nani in the lead role, with Kayadu Lohar also featuring in the cast. Odela, who previously collaborated with Nani on Dasara, returns to direct the actor in another intense story built around conflict, power and survival.

Set against the backdrop of 1980s Secunderabad, The Paradise follows Jadal, portrayed by Nani, a character whose journey is connected with a wider struggle for dignity, identity and justice. The film combines action with social and emotional themes, giving the central character a narrative that extends beyond conventional commercial cinema.

The period setting is one of the film’s defining features. The production recreates a particular era while using large-scale action sequences and dramatic set pieces to build the world in which the story unfolds.

The film received an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, adding to the expectations surrounding its intense themes and presentation. It was released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi and Tamil.

Before its release, the film had already attracted considerable attention through promotional material and advance bookings. Reports published ahead of the theatrical opening indicated that advance bookings had crossed several crore rupees, reflecting the level of interest generated by the Nani-Odela combination.

The opening-day figures subsequently provided a strong start for the film. However, the second-day trend showed a decline compared with the first day. Hindustan Times reported that the movie experienced a noticeable drop on its second day after its initial opening, while reviews from critics and audiences were described as mixed.

The difference between the opening numbers and subsequent daily performance highlights the importance of the weekend for the film. With September 26 falling on a Saturday, the theatrical response over the weekend remains an important factor in determining how the movie maintains its momentum after the initial rush.

The film’s performance in different regions has also been significant. Telugu markets have accounted for the largest share of its reported collections, while the Hindi and Tamil versions have contributed additional revenue.

According to live box-office tracking published for September 25, the film was playing across thousands of shows in several languages and hundreds of cities.

Nani has developed a reputation for moving between different genres, including action, thriller, romance and drama. His recent theatrical projects have helped establish him as one of the prominent actors in contemporary Telugu cinema, while his films have increasingly attracted audiences outside Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The collaboration with Odela has been particularly important because Dasara, their earlier film, also combined rural social themes with action and drama. The Paradise expands that association into a different period and setting.

The film’s visual presentation has also received attention. Its promotional campaign has focused on the protagonist’s transformation, the atmosphere of the period and the scale of the action sequences.

At the same time, the movie’s release was accompanied by a legal development before its theatrical debut. A Bengaluru court had issued an interim order restricting the circulation of certain online content concerning the film that the producers described as false or defamatory. The order did not extend to genuine reviews or legitimate criticism.

That legal development added another layer of attention around the project before audiences could watch it in theatres.

Following its release, the focus has shifted to audience response and box-office performance. The strong first-day figures indicate substantial initial demand, while the second-day movement will be watched closely as the weekend progresses.

For Nani, the opening provides an important commercial milestone. For Odela, the film represents another large-scale collaboration after Dasara, allowing the director to build on his earlier association with the actor while presenting a different cinematic world.

The multilingual release has also helped the film reach audiences across several major Indian markets. The combination of a known lead actor, a director with a previous successful collaboration with him and an expansive action-drama format has contributed to the attention surrounding the release.

As The Paradise enters its first full weekend, the emphasis will remain on whether the film can maintain audience interest beyond its opening-day performance. Saturday and Sunday collections will provide a clearer picture of its theatrical trajectory.

For now, the film has established a notable opening for Nani, with strong first-day figures reported across India and overseas markets. The response over the remainder of the opening weekend will determine how the movie builds on that initial start.