After charming audiences with his boy-next-door persona and soft-spoken roles, Nani took a dramatic turn with Dasara, the gritty rural action drama that marked the directorial debut of Srikanth Odela.
Nani’s rugged appearance and bold delivery in Telangana slang shocked fans and critics alike, and the film went on to become the biggest blockbuster of his career at that point.
Naturally, expectations are sky-high for Nani and Srikanth Odela’s second collaboration, The Paradise. And if the first glimpse is anything to go by, they’ve already taken audiences by surprise once again.
In a unique move, director Srikanth Odela revealed that each character in the film will be introduced through two posters—one unveiling the look and name, the other capturing the attitude and essence.
Nani’s first look as Jadal, with twin braids and a gritty, transformed physique, has already made waves. The second poster added another layer, portraying him seated like a lion on a throne, bloodied yet unfazed by the looming danger around him.
One thing is evident: although it's only his second film, Srikanth Odela is directing with unshakable conviction. His ability to reinvent Nani with such intensity speaks volumes about his passion and vision.
Credit must also go to producer Sudhakar Cherukuri, who reportedly gave the director complete creative freedom and has spared no expense to bring their vision to life, allocating a notably high budget.
National media is in awe of Nani’s bold makeover, calling it one of the fiercest looks in recent Indian cinema. Social media is buzzing, with fans and industry insiders applauding the transformation.
With what little has been revealed so far, The Paradise looks set to raise the bar, potentially even surpassing Dasara in terms of scale, narrative ambition, and visual power.
Produced under SLV Cinemas, The Paradise will arrive in theaters on March 26, 2026.
