Nani’s The Paradise: A bold statement or a strategic move for OTT deals?

On Monday, the much-anticipated promo for The Paradise, starring Nani and directed by Srikanth Odela, was released. However, in an unusual move, none of the film’s key members—Nani, the director, or the producer—attended the launch event. The promo was instead labelled as a ‘Raw Statement,’ showcasing intense violence and introducing Nani in a never-seen-before avatar.
While the promo generated buzz, industry insiders have mixed reactions. Some feel Nani’s rugged look doesn’t suit him, while others believe the promo was strategically released to secure an OTT deal before platforms close their acquisition windows at the end of March.
A producer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed, “OTT platforms will pause new acquisitions by the end of March and resume after three to four months. The makers of The Paradise may have released this promo now to lock in an OTT deal before that deadline.” Despite Nani’s consistent filmography, his recent releases have struggled to achieve blockbuster success. His attempts to expand into Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi markets have not yielded the expected results. Given the rising budgets of his films and the reliance on digital rights for revenue recovery, The Paradise faces a critical test—will it bring in the returns its makers are hoping for?