The Paradise Is All Set for Its Biggest Opening Day — and the Buzz Feels Different This Time

Six days out from its worldwide theatrical release, Nani’s The Paradise is locked and ready. The Srikanth Odela-directed action drama hits screens on September 24 (with premieres on the 23rd), and the energy around it has shifted from steady curiosity into full-blown opening-weekend anticipation.

This is no ordinary Nani release. After reuniting with Odela following their earlier collaboration on Dasara, the actor steps into the role of Jadal, a fierce tribal leader in a raw, 1980s Secunderabad setting. The story follows a marginalized community fighting for basic rights against systemic oppression, mixing intense action with an emotional mother-son core. The final runtime sits at 2 hours 49 minutes, and the Central Board of Film Certification has given it an adults-only ‘A’ certificate.

What makes the run-up feel different is how deliberately the team has handled promotion. There will be no theatrical trailer. Nani has been clear about the choice: the focus stayed on finishing the film rather than carving out days for a glossy preview. “We don’t want to call it a pan-India film in the usual way,” he said. “It is a complete Telugu film first.” That restraint, paired with the already-released teaser and two songs, has only sharpened interest. Music has done a lot of the heavy lifting. Anirudh Ravichander’s “Yeshanagula” — a high-energy folk track with Telangana roots — exploded after its launch at the composer’s Dallas concert, where Nani surprised the crowd by joining him on stage. The song, which also features a special appearance by Keerthy Suresh, racked up tens of millions of views in record time and became a genuine cultural moment. The earlier single “Aaya Sher” had already set the tone for the film’s darker, more primal energy.

The cast adds further weight. Kayadu Lohar plays the female lead opposite Nani, with Mohan Babu, Raghav Juyal (as the formidable Vikram Malik), Sampoornesh Babu, and Sonali Kulkarni in key roles. Overseas interest has been strong, with early North American pre-sales already making noise.

Behind the scenes the final stretch has been intense. Post-production, including heavy VFX for the climax, has kept the team working long hours. Nani has reportedly watched the first half and walked away confident. Director Srikanth Odela and Anirudh have been deep in re-recording, treating the finish line with the same urgency as the shoot.

For fans, the combination is potent: a transformed Nani in a rugged, braided period look, an ambitious social-action canvas from Odela, Anirudh’s score, and a rare decision to let the film speak for itself without a trailer. Theaters are preparing for what many are calling one of the more intriguing openings of the year.

The Paradise arrives September 24. The stage is set, the songs are already in people’s heads, and the only thing left is to see how big the first day actually gets.