The action‑packed film raked in nearly 16 crore by early afternoon, clocking 59% morning occupancy and breaking pre‑sale records on BookMyShow.
Nani’s new action drama, The Paradise, has set the Telugu box‑office ablaze. By the time the clock struck 1 PM on its first day, the film had already crossed the 15 crore mark, landing at 15.95 crore in net collections across India. That figure eclipses the full‑day tally of Irumudi (15.30 crore) and secures the fourth‑largest opening for a Tollywood release in 2026.
And the numbers don’t stop at revenue. The film registered a jaw‑dropping 59.08% occupancy in the morning slot, spanning 4,183 screenings. That translates to roughly 255 tickets being snapped up every single minute between 6 AM and 1 PM – a pace that saw 107,200 seats filled in just seven hours. Such a rush pushes The Paradise ahead of Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Maa Inti Bangaaram, which now sits outside the top‑ten morning‑occupancy list for the year.
But the buzz isn’t confined to the theatre doors. On the digital front, BookMyShow reported a staggering 941,000 advance bookings, nudging the film into the sixth‑highest pre‑sale slot in Tollywood history. It outstripped the pre‑sale figures of Ram Charan’s Peddi (875,000) and big deal (815,000), underscoring the pent‑up demand for Nani’s latest outing.
The film’s director, Srikanth Odela – fresh off his Dasara success – seems to have struck a chord with both fans and casual movie‑goers. The combination of high‑octane action, a star‑studded cast, and aggressive marketing has turned the opening weekend into a ticket‑selling marathon.
So what does this mean for the rest of the week? If the early momentum holds, The Paradise could climb into the top three Telugu openers of the year, challenging the likes of Peddi and K.G.F.‑style blockbusters. Trade analysts will be watching the evening shows closely. A dip in occupancy could signal a quick plateau, while sustained numbers would cement Nani’s status as a box‑office powerhouse.
The film’s performance also offers a glimpse into the health of the regional market. With over four thousand screens showing the movie and a near‑60% fill‑rate in the crucial morning window, exhibitors are likely to keep the screens locked in for the next few days. The ripple effect could see ancillary revenues – from satellite rights to OTT deals – surge as broadcasters scramble for a piece of the action.
And for the audience, the takeaway is simple: if you missed the morning rush, the evening slots will be the next battleground. With ticket sales still ticking at a blistering rate, The Paradise promises a cinematic ride that’s hard to ignore.
What’s next? The film’s first‑week collection will be the true test. Keep an eye on the numbers around the weekend. They’ll determine whether this opening frenzy translates into a lasting box‑office legacy.
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