Telugu superstar Nani is set to redefine his on-screen persona with a jaw-dropping transformation for his upcoming film, ‘The Paradise.’ The first look poster, unveiled by director Srikanth Odela, introduces Nani as ‘Jadal,’ a character that promises to be a ferocious and intense departure from his previous roles.
The poster reveals a striking new avatar for the “Natural Star.” Nani sports a thick, dark beard and a handlebar mustache, accompanied by long, braided dreadlocks—a look rarely seen in mainstream Telugu cinema. His gaze is intense, his expression unyielding, hinting at a character who is both powerful and complex. The ruggedness of his appearance is complemented by a deep crimson maroon coat, left unbuttoned, and a series of heavy metallic chains, one of which features a distinctive tribal emblem.
The visual elements of the poster are a storytelling masterpiece in themselves. Behind Nani, a massive, menacing circle is formed entirely from an arsenal of knives and bullets, resembling a deadly, modern-day chakra. This powerful image, along with the black crows that flank the central figure, evokes a sense of prophecy, chaos, and untamed rebellion. The tagline, “It started as a braid. It ended as a revolution,” further solidifies the film’s gritty, action-packed narrative.
‘The Paradise’ reunites Nani with director Srikanth Odela after their critically acclaimed and commercially successful collaboration on ‘Dasara.’ The film is reportedly a period action drama set in the 1980s in Secunderabad, exploring the struggle of an underprivileged community against systematic oppression. Nani’s character, Jadal, is positioned as a leader who rises from the chaos to lead a revolution. The film also stars Raghav Juyal as the antagonist, an exciting casting choice given his menacing performance in the recent action film, ‘Kill.’
With Anirudh Ravichander composing the music and a global release scheduled for March 26, 2026, ‘The Paradise’ is already generating significant buzz. The first look of Nani as Jadal is a testament to the actor’s willingness to push his boundaries and the director’s ambitious vision. This marks a new chapter for Nani, who appears poised to deliver another powerhouse performance in what is being touted as one of his most ambitious projects to date.