KTR Praises Nani’s ‘The Paradise’ as Telangana Epic

The BRS working president attended a Hyderabad preview with senior legislators, lauded Srikanth Odela’s direction and praised the film’s social message.

Telangana’s BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao walked out of a private screening of Nani’s latest blockbuster, The Paradise, with a bevy of senior MLAs and former ministers on Thursday. The gathering, held at a plush Hyderabad multiplex, was billed as a “political appreciation” of the film’s depiction of the region’s language, landscape and folklore.

KTR didn’t waste time. Within minutes of the credits rolling, he rose to thank director Srikanth Odela for delivering what he called “a true visual epic”. The leader highlighted how the movie captures the state’s essence without resorting to caricature, noting that the frames feel “as natural as the fields of the Deccan”.

The political heavyweight then shifted to the film’s deeper layers. “The film brilliantly showcases a society’s struggle for existence and its voice for justice when faced with oppression,” he told reporters, echoing the movie’s central theme of the under‑dog rising against a tyrannical order. He added that the narrative mirrors a leader’s duty to stand up for the marginalized and guide them forward.

When asked about the inspiration behind the on‑screen rebellion, KTR smiled and said, “I don’t need to specifically mention who the real inspiration behind this struggle is. Everyone already understands it.” The comment, while cryptic, seemed aimed at the broader political climate rather than any single individual.

The screening, which was not open to the public, also featured a brief chat with Srikanth Odela. The director, who has been praised for his carefully production design, said the team wanted to let Telangana’s people see themselves on the big screen for the first time in a mainstream commercial film. “We wanted authenticity, not a tourist’s snapshot,” Odela told the assembled press.

Industry watchers note that KTR’s endorsement could boost the film’s box‑office trajectory, especially in the state’s heartland where political sentiment often translates into ticket sales. The Paradise is already riding a strong opening weekend, and a nod from a senior BRS figure may push it past the ₹150‑crore mark.

For now, the film continues to dominate conversations on social media, with fans sharing screenshots of KTR’s speech and debating the “real inspiration” behind the story. Whether the political applause will turn into sustained footfall remains to be seen, but the synergy between cinema and regional pride is unmistakable.

The next step? The Paradise rolls out to smaller towns across Telangana next week, and KTR has hinted he may attend another screening in Warangal. If the political backing holds, the film could become a cultural touchstone for the state’s identity in the coming months.