Cinema VinesDuring a press launch for his upcoming action thriller The Paradise in Mumbai on Tuesday, Telugu actor Nani took a sharp jab at contemporary Indian cinema, arguing that modern films lack the emotional depth that defined commercial movies of the 1980s and 1990s. He praised the 1993 Shah Rukh Khan hit Baazigar as a prime example of the intense, high‑octane drama he associates with that era, and said that today’s commercial offerings prioritize song and spectacle over genuine feeling.
Speaking to reporters, Nani explained that The Paradise, directed by Shrikant Odela, is an attempt to revive the “raw emotions” he remembers from his childhood. He noted that even when a hero battles a villain, audiences no longer feel the anger or investment that once made such scenes gripping. “We don’t root for the hero; we don’t feel the depth of it,” he said, adding that his film aims to bring that intensity back.
Beyond the film’s thematic ambitions, the launch also touched on recent legal developments. A Bengaluru court had granted The Paradise temporary protection against the spread of “defamatory” content, a move the actor said was aimed at curbing AI‑generated or bot‑produced misinformation while leaving genuine reviews untouched. He noted that the Yash‑starrer Toxic had received a similar court order earlier this year.
The film reunites Nani with Odela after their 2023 success Dasara and is produced by SLV Cinemas. The cast includes Mohan Babu, Kayadu Lohar, Sonali Kulkarni and Raghav Juyal. The Paradise is scheduled for theatrical release on September 24.
