Nani said he expected mixed reactions to The Paradise before its release on September 26. The actor shared that he watched the film with distance to identify which parts worked. He noted, “I felt that before.” Nani stays close to reality because his friends and family are always honest.
Nani says he understood the mixed reactions to The Paradise and knew which portions would work before the film was released in theatres.
Nani has said he was able to understand why audiences had mixed reactions to The Paradise, even before the film reached theatres. The actor said he had watched the film with enough distance to recognise both the portions that worked for him and those that might not connect with viewers.
Nani Says He Understands The Audience
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Nani explained that he has always stayed close to the audience because he did not come from a film family. He said the people around him are honest enough to tell him when they dislike his films, including some of his biggest hits.
“I’m not from a cinema background. The people I’m surrounded with are extremely honest to me. There’s no filter at all."
Nani said his friends and family have never hesitated to tell him when they did not enjoy something he had worked on. “My friends and family would say, ‘We don’t want to watch that film, we didn’t like it at all…’ So I was always very close to reality… I’ve always watched films in the theatre; I know that I am one among the audience. I don’t think the audience is a separate entity. I always feel that if I like it, they would like it too… I’m one of them."
He Knew Which Parts Would Work
Nani also admitted that he could identify both the strengths and weaker portions of The Paradise before its release. He said he had a clear sense of how audiences might respond to certain parts of the film. He specifically mentioned the interval point, the background score and the childhood portions as elements he expected to connect with viewers.
“Anything they (the audience) have been mentioning, logically or something where it dipped or something which didn’t work for them… I did see all of that. I felt that before. I also knew which portions would work and land… As long as you can be detached from your own work and see it as the audience, it will always be clear. And I don’t know how not to do that, I don’t know how to get carried away."
The Paradise Opened To Nani’s Biggest Start
The Paradise, directed by Srikanth Odela, released in theatres on September 24 after paid premieres a day earlier. The film recorded the biggest opening of Nani’s career, but its response from critics and audiences was mixed.
What Is The Paradise About?
The film is set in the 1980s and follows the Savaari tribe as they fight for citizenship. Srikanth Odela has directed the film, with Nani leading the cast. The film stars Nani alongside Mohan Babu, Kayadu Lohar, Sonali Kulkarni and Raghav Juyal. It is produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri and Ishan Saksena under Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Cinemas and IVY Entertainment.