Nani and Srikanth Odela’s The Paradise is now in the second half of its opening weekend, and the early numbers show a film that opened with a bang but is now relying on its Telugu core to keep the momentum. As Saturday reports come in, the period action drama’s weekend shape is becoming clearer.
A big first day, then a softer second
The film released worldwide on September 24 and collected Rs 34.65 crore net in India on day one, according to Sacnilk-tracked figures. It played 9,732 shows at 49.3% overall occupancy. Day two dropped to Rs 14.90 crore net, with occupancy at 32.8%. That is less than half of the opening-day number, which is not unusual for a midweek release, but it puts more pressure on the first Saturday and Sunday.
Overseas, the film added Rs 3.00 crore gross on day two, taking its international total to Rs 25.00 crore. With those collections included, the worldwide gross stood at Rs 97.50 crore before Saturday’s final figures were added.
Saturday live: one language is doing the heavy lifting
The day-three live count shows Rs 4.81 crore net in India so far, from 3,478 shows at around 23.6% occupancy. These figures will rise as more shows report, but the language split is already telling:
- Telugu: Rs 4.23 crore live, 34% occupancy across 1,767 shows
- Hindi: Rs 46 lakh live, 12% occupancy across 1,446 shows
- Tamil: Rs 12 lakh live, 17% occupancy across 265 shows
In simple terms, the Telugu version is carrying the weekend. That is not a surprise for a Nani-Srikanth Odela collaboration, but the wider release was clearly meant to pull in audiences beyond one language.
Live box office tracking is a snapshot, not a final verdict. Afternoon counts capture only the shows that have reported, and night shows often move the total sharply. On day three, the 23.6% occupancy is based on 3,478 shows, a much smaller sample than the 9,732 shows counted on opening day. The final figure should therefore be read against day two’s 32.8% occupancy rather than day one’s 49.3%.
Why the next 24 hours decide the narrative
The Times of India’s day-three headline puts the film near Rs 80 crore India gross. That is a healthy opening weekend if the Sunday number holds, but the lower Hindi and Tamil occupancy suggests the film is still converting its core fan base rather than expanding into a pan-India event. The first big test will be whether Sunday can improve on Saturday’s pace.
The film itself is rooted in 1980s Secunderabad and follows a marginalised community’s fight for identity, dignity and recognition. The cast includes Raghav Juyal, Kayadu Lohar, Sonali Kulkarni and Mohan Babu, with music by Anirudh Ravichander. It released in multiple languages on September 24, with special shows and increased ticket prices in Telangana supporting the opening.
For audiences, the practical takeaway is straightforward: if you are planning to catch it this weekend, the Telugu version has the most buzz, while the lower occupancy elsewhere means finding a seat in Hindi or Tamil markets should be easier. The final day-three total will offer a much firmer read on whether the film has legs beyond the opening burst.
Source: The Times of India
