For over a decade, Natural Star Nani has built an ironclad bond with moviegoers by serving as Indian cinema’s quintessential, grounded protagonist. Yet, sitting down to discuss his upcoming pan-Indian period action storm The Paradise, directed by Srikanth Odela and mounted by Sudhakar Cherukuri on SLV Cinemas, it is evident that he has incinerated that comfort zone entirely.
Heading toward a massive global release on September 24, 2026, Nani engaged in an open, raw conversation detailing the physical torture behind his dreadlocked avatar ‘Jadal’, why he rejects body doubles on set, the terrifying magnitude of Dr. M. Mohan Babu’s villainy, and the haunting mother-son emotional core that underpins the chaos.
"Jadal Is An Untamed Outsider": Deconstructing the Persona Nani was quick to point out that his character in The Paradise shares zero DNA with any role he has portrayed in the past:
"Every character I’ve brought to screen until now felt like someone living right next door. 'Jadal', on the other hand, was not shaped by civilized society. He exists in a state of raw, unfiltered madness from the very opening frame.
The look is not a stylist's whim—it represents survival and belonging. The nose ring, the neck chains, the forehead markings, and the braids belong to the marginalized 'Savari' tribe. In that world, if someone is dragged into their fold and tattooed, they become a Savari forever. Slipping into that prosthetic makeup and heavy hair took an hour and forty minutes every morning, and peeling it off at pack-up took another twenty."
— Nani
No Stunt Doubles, Scalp Burns & Mid-Air Hazards When asked about the intense action choreography, Nani detailed the grueling physical punishment endured during production:
100% Personal Execution: "I gave clear instructions to the direction crew: whether it was a quick cut of my knuckles striking a surface or a dangerous mid-air impact, I would execute it myself. If I sit in a dark theatre and watch a body double taking a punch on my behalf, I cannot accept the crowd's applause in good faith."
The Agony of the Braids: "We routinely pulled 36-hour continuous shooting marathons. The sheer weight of those extensions left my scalp inflamed and bleeding. During aerial stunt work, my braided locks would violently wrap around the high-speed wire rigging, snapping my neck back. The stunt choreographers on set would look at me with genuine sympathy, astonished at how I was withstanding the strain. I will probably do action films in the future, but I will never punish my body to this extent again."
Mud, Blood, and Rain: Nani quipped: "Watching the action unfold on screen will blow minds, but filming it was sheer agony. Day in and day out, Srikanth had me rolling through muddy pits, freezing artificial rainstorms, or grueling night sequences."
The Lore of 'The Paradise': A 1984 Tribal Reckoning Rather than serving as an abstract background, the period setting serves as the very heartbeat of the narrative:
A Lost Clan (1984–85): The plot explores the forgotten, disenfranchised Savari tribe inhabiting a secluded haven dubbed The Paradise. Stripped of societal recognition, basic rights, or justice for their deaths, their boiling rage triggers a legendary rebellion. Nani likened its atmospheric power to KGF and Salaar, noting that viewers will be sucked into its rules within minutes.
Mohan Babu's Sinister Dimension: "When Srikanth first pitched Mohan Babu garu for the antagonist, I genuinely doubted he would agree to play someone so unyieldingly brutal. But he loved the sheer audacity of the script and was the first to predict its blockbuster destiny. Audiences will be left speechless by the sheer menace he unleashes."
The Mother-Son Anchor & Anirudh’s Sonic Fire Addressing whether the heavy violence might push away family audiences, Nani strongly countered:
A Lingering Emotional Hangover: "The story begins with a mother’s voice and reaches its crescendo through her relationship with her son. Seasoned actress Sonali Kulkarni braved the rain, mud, and dust without a murmur of hesitation. The dramatic conflict between mother and son is so deeply moving that the film will linger in your mind for three to four days after the credits roll."
Anirudh's Triple Threat: Re-teaming after Jersey and Gang Leader, Nani credited Anirudh Ravichander with electrifying the narrative: "Srikanth and Anirudh share a crazy creative wavelength. While 'Aaya Sher' and 'Eshu Naagula' have shaken the charts, my personal favorite is a track called 'Anjana Anjani'—a song I've been playing on loop for months that will hit the airwaves soon."
Defending Srikanth's Pace: Rejecting talk of production delays, Nani stated: "Did shooting delays hurt Sukumar garu on 'Pushpa'? Not at all. Careers take a hit only when you deliver shoddy products, never when you take time to craft perfection. Srikanth worships mass cinema. When he turns around at the monitor and says, 'Anna, the theatres are going to erupt,' I know we have struck gold."
Closing on an endearing note about his son Junnu dancing to 'Eshu Naagula' during Vinayaka Chavithi and promising unexpected dance surprises with Keerthy Suresh, Raghav, and Sampoornesh Babu, Natural Star Nani reaffirmed that The Paradise is primed to set box offices ablaze on September 24, 2026!
