The Paradise is one of the most anticipated Telugu films of 2026, bringing back the successful combination of actor Nani and director Srikanth Odela after Dasara. Released in theatres on September 24, 2026, the film takes audiences into the rough and politically charged world of 1980s Secunderabad. With Nani in a completely transformed avatar, a large-scale action setup and music by Anirudh Ravichander, expectations were extremely high.
But does The Paradise manage to live up to the hype? The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no.
The Paradise Movie Story
Set in 1980s Secunderabad, The Paradise revolves around Jadal, played by Nani, and the struggles of a marginalised community fighting for identity, dignity and recognition.
Jadal returns from prison to a society controlled by powerful forces. At the centre of this world is Malik, played by Mohan Babu, whose influence has shaped the lives of the people around him. As Jadal becomes increasingly involved in the problems faced by his community, his personal journey develops into a much larger conflict.
The film uses oppression, discrimination and rebellion as the foundation of its story. Jadal gradually becomes a symbol of resistance, turning what initially feels like a personal struggle into a fight involving an entire community.
The social backdrop gives the movie more weight than a straightforward action entertainer. At the same time, the basic theme of a powerful figure controlling a community and a rebellious hero challenging that system is familiar territory in Indian cinema.
Nani’s Performance Is the Biggest Attraction
Nani is undoubtedly the centre of The Paradise.
The actor has undergone a noticeable physical and visual transformation for the role of Jadal. His hairstyle, beard, body language and overall appearance are significantly different from the softer characters audiences often associate with him.
More importantly, Nani commits himself to the physicality of the role. The action sequences require a more aggressive screen presence, and he delivers that intensity convincingly.
Early reviews have consistently highlighted Nani’s performance and physical transformation as among the film’s strongest elements. The Indian Express, for example, praised his commitment while arguing that the screenplay surrounding him does not always match his effort.
This is an important point because The Paradise often feels like a film built around its protagonist. When Nani is on screen, the movie has energy and purpose. When the story moves away from him, the momentum can become less consistent.
Srikanth Odela’s Direction
After the success of Dasara, director Srikanth Odela had the difficult task of making his second film bigger without losing the raw quality that made his debut stand out.
With The Paradise, he clearly aims for scale.
The period setting, crowded environments, action sequences and production design create a distinctive world. The film wants its audience to feel the harshness of the place where Jadal lives rather than simply use the setting as decoration.
However, the screenplay has received criticism from several reviewers for relying on familiar storytelling patterns. The Indian Express described the film as using a familiar template, while Times of India praised the film’s striking world but felt that the narrative eventually loses its way.
That creates an interesting contrast: visually and technically, The Paradise aims to feel large and ambitious, but its underlying story can sometimes feel familiar.
Action and Visual Presentation
Action is one of the major selling points of The Paradise.
The movie doesn’t treat its action merely as a few isolated sequences. Violence is deeply connected to the world and the conflicts surrounding Jadal. The rough atmosphere and period setting give the action a gritty quality.
The cinematography and production design also contribute to the film’s scale. The 1980s Secunderabad setting helps create a world that feels different from many contemporary Telugu action films.
At the same time, the film’s long runtime can affect its pacing. Different sources list the theatrical runtime at around 2 hours 54 minutes, making this a substantial big-screen experience.
For viewers who enjoy lengthy action dramas, that may not be a problem. But audiences looking for a tighter narrative may find some portions slower than expected.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast includes Mohan Babu, Sonali Kulkarni, Raghav Juyal and Kayadu Lohar, among others.
Mohan Babu plays Malik, an important figure within the story, while Sonali Kulkarni appears as Sammakka, Jadal’s mother. Kulkarni has spoken about Sammakka having her own story rather than simply functioning as the hero’s mother, suggesting that the film attempts to give its female characters some independent importance.
Raghav Juyal also gets a significant role, adding another layer to the conflict.
However, one criticism appearing in early reviews is that some supporting characters aren’t developed as deeply as they could have been. This can make certain emotional moments feel less powerful than the film intends.
Music and Technical Aspects
Anirudh Ravichander handles the music, adding another major name to the film’s technical team. The soundscape is particularly important for a movie that depends heavily on atmosphere, action and dramatic moments.
The combination of Anirudh’s music, large-scale visuals and Odela’s gritty filmmaking gives The Paradise a theatrical character.
This is clearly a film designed to be experienced on the big screen rather than treated as a quiet character drama.
The Paradise Movie Review: Final Verdict
The Paradise is an ambitious period action drama that gives Nani one of his most physically demanding roles. The actor’s transformation, committed performance, action sequences and the film’s production scale are its biggest strengths.
However, the screenplay is where the movie becomes less convincing. Several early reviews have pointed to familiar storytelling, uneven character development and pacing issues.
The result is a film that often looks and feels bigger than its story.
For Nani fans and viewers who enjoy gritty Telugu action dramas, The Paradise offers plenty to experience, particularly because of Nani’s performance and the film’s visual world. Those expecting another Dasara-level emotional impact, however, may find the storytelling less distinctive.
Overall, The Paradise is a visually ambitious and intense action drama powered by Nani, but its familiar narrative prevents it from reaching its full potential.
The Paradise Movie Details
Movie: The Paradise
Director: Srikanth Odela
Lead Actor: Nani
Cast: Nani, Mohan Babu, Sonali Kulkarni, Raghav Juyal, Kayadu Lohar
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Genre: Action, Drama, Adventure
Release Date: September 24, 2026
Language: Telugu
Runtime: Approximately 2 hours 54 minutes
