The Telugu period action drama netted ₹76.40 crore in India and a global total of ₹117.75 crore by day three, even as audiences voiced mixed feelings.
Box‑office blitz
Nani’s new period piece, The Paradise, vaulted past the coveted ₹100 crore mark worldwide in just three days. The film opened on September 24 after a single‑day preview, and by the close of day three it had logged a net of ₹76.40 crore across India. Adding the overseas haul, the global gross now sits at ₹117.75 crore.
The opening two days delivered a solid ₹61.15 crore net domestically and a worldwide gross of ₹97.50 crore. Day three contributed another ₹15.25 crore to the Indian tally, while overseas earnings rose by ₹2.25 crore, pushing the overseas total to ₹27.25 crore.
Mixed reception, star’s response
Critics and a sizable chunk of the audience have been less than enthusiastic, pointing to pacing issues and a narrative that feels uneven. Nani, however, took the backlash in stride. In a recent interview he admitted he "enjoyed hilarious trolls" and said he "learnt from the flaws" highlighted by viewers. The actor’s candidness has sparked a wave of memes, but it also points to his willingness to engage with the conversation around the film.
The team behind the numbers
Directed by Srikanth Odela, The Paradise marks his second collaboration with Nani after the 2023 hit Dasara, which grossed ₹116.50 crore worldwide. The supporting cast features veteran Mohan Babu, dancer‑turned‑actor Raghav Juyal, Kayau Lohar and Sonali Kulkarni. Anirudh Ravichander provides the soundtrack, while production duties are split between Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Cinemas and IVY Entertainment.
Set in 1980s Secunderabad, the story follows the marginalized Savari tribe as they grapple with systemic bias and fight for citizenship under an unexpected leader. The premise promised a gritty, socially charged drama, and the box‑office numbers suggest that curiosity alone drove crowds to the theatres.
What the figures mean
Crossing the ₹100 crore threshold in such a short span places The Paradise among the season’s biggest earners, even outpacing several big‑budget releases that opened the same weekend. For Nani, the performance reinforces his bankability after a mixed run of films post‑Dasara. For Odela, it validates his directorial instincts despite the polarised critical response.
The film’s trajectory now hinges on word‑of‑mouth. If the negative buzz cools, the opening weekend could be the high point. Conversely, a steady stream of curious viewers could push the total well beyond the current figure.
Looking ahead
The Paradise continues to run in multiplexes across the country, with the weekend box‑office still to be tallied. Industry watchers will be keen to see whether the film can sustain its momentum or if the early surge fizzles out under the weight of mixed reviews.
Stay tuned for the next box‑office update, expected early next week, when the final weekend numbers will give a clearer picture of the film’s staying power.
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