Nani defends ‘A’ rating for The Paradise; says film is family‑friendly

During a press conference in Mumbai on September 21, actor Nani, along with co‑stars Sonali Kulkarni, Raghav Juyal and Kayadu Lohar, addressed the Central Board of Film Certification’s decision to grant the upcoming action drama The Paradise an “A” (adults only) certificate. The film is slated for release in cinemas on September 24.

When questioned about the rating, Nani explained that the decision was not a surprise. “When a film receives an ‘A’ certificate, it inevitably loses a segment of the audience – children and families,” he said. “But I understand where the board is coming from because there is a significant amount of violence in the movie.” He went on to contrast The Paradise with other action titles that use violence purely for spectacle, stating that his film is “a solid drama” that balances emotional storytelling with realistic depictions of conflict. “It’s an emotional, commercial film that everyone can relate to, regardless of age. Families can watch it with their parents, but children are excluded because of the violence.”

Nani clarified that the filmmakers had not attempted to secure a U/A rating. “We were prepared from the beginning that we would receive an adult rating,” he said. The director and producers had anticipated the board’s concerns and had incorporated certain cuts during post‑production.

The CBFC’s edits included replacing alternate visuals of a crow on the national flag, modifying the opening scene featuring a pregnant woman, and allowing a single instance of a foul word while muting it elsewhere. A tattoo scene containing profanity was covered with CGI, and the phrase “denotified tribe” was removed. The board also shortened the duration of stabbing visuals and eliminated ten other violent scenes involving torture and bloodshed. In three locations, references to armed struggle against the country were muted or altered, as were a reference to a real‑life assassination, a historical event, and a real‑life cigarette brand.

Despite the cuts, Nani maintains that the core narrative remains intact. “Everything that happens in the film is what we see around and what we can relate to. There’s drama, emotions and a love story – that is what films, in general, have,” he said. The actor emphasized that while the violence is higher than in many other films, the story’s emotional core and commercial appeal remain intact, making it suitable for adult audiences while still being accessible to families who choose to watch it together.