Nani's The Paradise set for Rs 50 crore opening as censor gives an A rating

Nani's The Paradise is targeting a Rs 50 crore worldwide opening as the censor board has cleared it with an A certificate ahead of release. The rating comes just days before premiere shows, while advance bookings point to strong early demand.

In Short

• Nani’s The Paradise gets A certificate from CBFC ahead of September 24 release
• Film aims for Rs 50 crore worldwide opening, highest for Nani so far
• Advance bookings strong, Rs 3.5 crore gross in Telugu states alone

Nani’s The Paradise is heading towards a potential Rs 50 crore opening worldwide, with the film receiving an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) ahead of its September 24 release. The certification has come just days before the film’s premiere shows (September 23), as advance bookings indicate strong anticipation for the Srikanth Odela directorial.

Nani confirmed the certification on X, sharing a new poster from the film. Reacting to the adult rating, the actor wrote, “Guidelines say A. But the content says Universal. READY. (sic).”

The A certificate means The Paradise will be restricted to adult audiences in theatres. The film has reportedly received a runtime of 2 hours and 49 minutes. Despite the A certificate, Nani’s message suggests that he believes the film’s appeal extends beyond the adult classification.

The Paradise eyes Rs 50 crore opening

With the release now just days away, the focus has shifted to the film’s opening-day numbers. According to trade website Sacnilk, The Paradise is expected to rake in Rs 50 crore worldwide on Day 1, which would give Nani his biggest opening to date.

The film’s advance bookings have already started building momentum. Early worldwide pre-sales were nearing Rs 10 crore on September 21, with only a limited number of shows open at the time. More shows and screens are expected to be added as the release date approaches.

In India, The Paradise has opened advance bookings to a strong response, particularly in the Telugu states, where the film has already crossed Rs 3.50 crore in gross sales within a day. The film is also set to benefit from paid premiere shows in select markets on September 23. With bookings expected to pick up further in the final 48 hours before release, trade expectations for the film’s first-day performance have risen.

The film has also recorded a strong response in the US market, by minting $650,000. Advance sales are expected to cross the $1 million mark soon after full-fledged bookings open.

The Rs 50 crore target would be a significant milestone for Nani, whose recent films have established him as one of Telugu cinema’s most consistent performers. However, the figure remains a trade projection, with the actual Day 1 collection depending on occupancy across markets once the film releases.

Nani’s HIT: The Third Case currently holds his highest worldwide opening-day record at around Rs 38 crore, followed by Dasara, which earned Rs 36.25 crore gross worldwide on Day 1.

Early trade estimates for The Paradise have now climbed higher, with some projections placing its worldwide opening close to Rs 60 crore. The film is estimated to collect around Rs 35-40 crore in India, while its overseas opening could be around Rs 20 crore. The final tally, however, will depend on the pace of advance bookings, premiere collections and walk-in audiences on release day.

What to expect from The Paradise

Directed by Srikanth Odela, The Paradise marks his second collaboration with Nani after Dasara. The film features Nani in the lead, alongside Kayadu Lohar, Raghav Juyal, Mohan Babu and Sonali Kulkarni in key roles.

The film has been mounted on a large scale and is expected to release across multiple languages. Its 9 pm premiere shows have been scheduled across the South, with tickets opening at select locations amid considerable anticipation.

The Paradise is produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under SLV Cinemas, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The film releases in theatres worldwide on September 24, with special premieres on September 23.

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