Raghav Juyal talks Telugu debut, praises cinema culture

The dancer‑turned‑actor opens up about the reverence for technicians in Tollywood as he steps into his first Telugu antagonist role.

Raghav Juyal, the dancer‑actor best known for his TV stints, is set to appear as the villain in the upcoming Telugu blockbuster The Paradise. The film, headlined by Nani and directed by Srikanss Odela, is slated for a worldwide release on September 24.

During the film’s press meet, Juyal spoke at length about his first foray into Tollywood. He said the atmosphere in the industry left a deep impression, noting that audiences actually know the names of sound engineers, gaffers and other behind‑the‑scenes talent. “People celebrate and respect cinema so much over there. It is something that really moved me. There were tears in my eyes,” he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

The actor added that the respect shown to every technician is a rarity he hopes to see replicated across Indian cinema. “They respect each and every technician. Even the sound engineer. People know them by name. The audience knows who has worked on the film. They don’t come just to finish their work. They celebrate cinema, and that is what I really like,” Juyal explained.

He singled out Nani for being a catalyst in his shift of mindset. “I want to bring that to our entire country. I learnt this from Nani. You really changed my life, as an artiste and as a human being,” Juyal said, thanking the star for his mentorship.

The Paradise also features a strong supporting cast, including Kayadu Lohar, Sonali Kulkarni, Keerthy Suresh, Mohan Babu and Easwari Rao. Nani, who previously praised Juyal’s performance in the Hindi film Kill, expressed curiosity about how the dancer‑actor would adapt to a Telugu script. He lauded Juyal’s preparation, hinting that the antagonist would bring a fresh energy to the film’s narrative.

Industry insiders note that Juyal’s entry into Tollywood reflects a growing trend of cross‑regional talent exchanges, with Bollywood personalities increasingly testing waters in South Indian markets. The move could also broaden the film’s appeal beyond its core Telugu audience, especially given Juyal’s fan base on digital platforms.

For fans, the upcoming release promises a blend of Nani’s signature charm and Juyal’s kinetic screen presence. The press conference, held in Hyderabad, also gave a glimpse of the film’s visual style – vibrant, high‑octane sequences that hint at a modern take on the classic hero‑villain dynamic.

As the countdown ticks toward the September 24 launch, all eyes will be on how Juyal’s performance lands with a Telugu‑speaking crowd and whether his admiration for the industry’s collaborative spirit translates into box‑office numbers.

If the buzz around his debut holds, The Paradise could become a talking point not just for its storyline but for the cultural bridge it represents between North and South Indian cinema.