The Tollywood action drama crossed the 150‑crore mark despite mixed reviews, and a Friday holiday could push it into full profitability across all markets.
Nani’s period action drama The Paradise has smashed the 150‑crore barrier in its opening week, a feat that puts the star in a new financial league. The film, which hit theatres on September 24, rode a wave of pre‑release buzz that translated into packed auditoriums from Hyderabad to overseas screens.
And the numbers speak for themselves: worldwide collections now sit comfortably above the 150‑crore threshold. That makes it the highest‑grossing Nani picture to date, eclipsing his earlier 100‑crore milestone from Dasara.
But the applause isn’t unanimous. Critics have largely panned the movie, calling it a mixed bag of spectacle and story. Still, Nani’s pull proved enough to offset the lukewarm reception, especially in his home market.
Box‑office breakdown
In the Nizam region, the film has already broken even, with ticket sales covering its cost. Andhra Pradesh, however, remains a tougher nut. Recovery there hovers around the 60 % mark, meaning the territory is still in the red. Overseas territories and Karnataka sit in the 70‑75 % recovery window – decent, but not yet full profit.
The second‑week performance will be crucial. Analysts say a strong showing in the upcoming national holiday on October 2 – a Friday – could provide the lift needed to turn the lagging markets green. Holiday footfall traditionally spikes, and The Paradise is well‑positioned to capture that surge.
And there’s more to the story than numbers. The director, Srikanth Odela, has now delivered two back‑to‑back milestones with Nani, first with Dasara and now with this period piece. Their partnership appears to be a reliable formula for mass appeal, even when critical consensus is split.
So what does this mean for Nani’s trajectory? With Court already a hit earlier this year, The Paradise cements his status as a bankable lead who can command audiences across regions. The upcoming holiday could push the film into full profitability, turning the current recovery gaps into solid gains.
Fans are already buzzing on social platforms, celebrating the 150‑crore club entry while debating the film’s merits. The conversation is likely to stay alive through the holiday weekend, as box‑office tallies get updated.
In short, The Paradise has proven that star power and strategic release timing can outweigh critical drubbing, at least in the short term. The next few days will reveal whether the momentum holds long enough to seal the deal across every market.
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