Mohan Babu Calls ‘The Paradise’ His Deadliest Role

Veteran actor Mohan Babu praised producer Sudhakar and director Srikanth Odela, calling his new part in Nani‑led ‘The Paradise’ the toughest of his five‑decade career.

Mohan Babu stepped onto the Hyderabad media mulakat with a grin that hinted at the weight of the role he’s just wrapped. The 50‑year veteran, who has been a mainstay of Telugu cinema since the 1970s, told reporters that his character in Nani’s new action‑drama The Paradise is the most lethal part he’s ever played.

“I met producer Sudhakar garu just a few times. He never compromised on the budget. He is a wonderful human being who placed complete confidence in the director. More such producers are needed in the industry,” he said, a line that underscored the respect he holds for the man behind the film’s financing.

The actor went on to describe how director Srikanth Odela presented the script. “Srikanth told me the storyline at my university. I don’t stay in touch with modern directors, but Srikanth narrated the story in a superb and easy‑to‑understand way. In my 50 years of experience, I haven’t done a deadly role like this. He used to give me inputs, and I took the most retakes in my career for this film.”

Those words paint a picture of a collaborative set where the director’s vision pushed the veteran to new limits. Mohan Babu didn’t hold back on the praise either. “Srikanth Odela isn’t an ordinary director. I used to tell Vishnu about him. He extracted the best from me, and it was a great learning experience. I told his father the same thing. Srikanth Odela is going to become the No. 1 director in Indian cinema,” he declared, effectively anointing the filmmaker as a future powerhouse.

When the conversation turned to his co‑star, the actor’s admiration was unmistakable. “It isn’t necessary to tell what happens on the set. I admire and respect Nani. He worked so hard for The Paradise. The movie will become a big success. It is very difficult to pull off the braid getup. Nani is a phenomenal actor excels in all aspects. I wish him all the best,” he added, highlighting both the physical demands of the role and the chemistry between the two leads.

The remarks arrived just as The Paradise opened across theatres, riding on a wave of anticipation built by Nani’s recent box‑office streak. Industry insiders note that Mohan Babu’s endorsement could tip the scales for audiences still on the fence, especially in the Telugu heartland where his name still carries weight.

What remains to be seen is whether the film’s gritty narrative and high‑octane action will translate into the kind of longevity Mohan Babu predicts. For now, the veteran’s confidence adds another layer of buzz to a release already buzzing with fan chatter.

The next checkpoint will be the weekend box‑office numbers, which will reveal if the combination of a seasoned antagonist, a charismatic lead, and a director on the rise can make The Paradise a landmark in contemporary Telugu cinema.