The Paradise, starring Nani and directed by Srikanth Odela, has crossed ₹97 crore worldwide in just two days. The film released in theatres on Thursday after paid premieres on Wednesday evening. While it opened strongly, the film witnessed a drop in collections on Friday following lukewarm reviews.
The Paradise collected ₹97.50 crore worldwide by the end of its second day, according to trade figures. The number is significant as the film has already surpassed the lifetime worldwide collections of several recent releases. Nani’s Hi Nanna ended its theatrical run with ₹76.35 crore worldwide, while Karthik Subbaraj’s Retro collected ₹97.35 crore. Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR, earned ₹97.44 crore worldwide in its lifetime.
The film’s producers had claimed a worldwide opening of ₹88 crore and ₹114 crore in two days. However, trade analysts have placed the opening day figure at around ₹76 crore. The difference between the producer reported figures and trade estimates has therefore remained a talking point around the film’s box office performance.
In India, The Paradise recorded a 57% drop on Friday, according to Sacnilk. The film collected ₹14.90 crore net on its second day after earning ₹34.65 crore net on its opening day. It had also collected ₹11.60 crore from its paid premieres. Its opening day figure remains the highest for a Nani film.
The film now has the weekend to build on its opening. With limited competition from Telugu releases at present, its Saturday and Sunday collections will be important in determining whether it can maintain its momentum after the Friday decline. The film is expected to cross the ₹100 crore worldwide mark by the end of Saturday.
The Paradise is Srikanth Odela’s second collaboration with Nani after Dasara. Produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri and Ishan Saksena, the film also stars Mohan Babu, Kayadu Lohar, Sonali Kulkarni and Raghav Juyal.
Set in the 1980s, the story follows the Savaari tribe as they fight for legal recognition and face oppression from a feudal overlord. Nani has acknowledged the lukewarm response and trolling following the release, while continuing to promote the film, including a recent screening for Rapido drivers.
