The Paradise box office Day 2: Nani's film nears Rs 100 crore worldwide

Nani’s The Paradise is set to cross the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide after a strong start at the box office, with the film delivering the biggest opening of the actor’s career so far. Directed by Srikanth Odela, the action drama built early momentum through paid previews, advance bookings and strong overseas business before its first full day in theatres.

The film has drawn most of its early strength from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while international pre-sales also helped lift its opening totals. After a strong start through previews and opening day, the film saw a noticeable drop on Friday, but it remained within touching distance of the global milestone by the end of Day 2.

According to trade tracker Sacnilk, The Paradise has collected Rs 98.50 crore worldwide gross by Day 2, including Rs 72.50 crore from India gross and Rs 26.00 crore from overseas. Its India nett collection stands at Rs 61.15 crore across 17,681 shows.

The film began with paid previews on Wednesday, when it earned Rs 11.60 crore nett across 900 shows with 79.0 per cent occupancy. On Thursday, its official opening day, it expanded to 9,732 screenings and collected Rs 34.65 crore nett and Rs 40.95 crore gross, with occupancy at 49.3 per cent. On Friday, collections dropped to Rs 14.90 crore nett as occupancy fell to 32.8 per cent and the number of screenings came down to 7,049.

It is now positioned to become the fastest film in Nani’s career to enter the Rs 100 crore club.

Sacnilk had earlier reported that the film’s Day 1 worldwide gross, including paid previews, stood at Rs 74.90 crore. Its India nett after the first full day of release was Rs 46.25 crore across 10,632 shows, while India gross for the previews and the first day together stood at Rs 54.90 crore.DayIndia NettIndia GrossWorldwide GrossDay 1Rs 46.25 croreRs 54.90 croreRs 74.90 croreDay 2Rs 61.15 croreRs 72.50 croreRs 98.50 croreRegional performance

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana remained the main drivers of the film’s India business. The two Telugu states contributed Rs 56.25 crore, which is more than 77 per cent of the film’s Rs 72.50 crore India gross across the first three days. The film earned Rs 11.00 crore in the region during Wednesday previews, followed by Rs 31.50 crore on Thursday and Rs 13.75 crore on Friday.

Karnataka emerged as the second-best market with Rs 7.35 crore overall. Tamil Nadu contributed Rs 3.00 crore, Kerala added Rs 0.57 crore, and the rest of India brought in Rs 5.33 crore.Biggest opening of Nani’s career

The Paradise has delivered the biggest opening of Nani’s career. Its Day 1 worldwide gross of Rs 74.90 crore, including paid previews, moved well ahead of his previous best openers, HIT: The Third Case at around Rs 38.00 crore and Dasara at around Rs 36.25 crore.

The film, which received an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, had recorded strong ticket sales before release despite its restricted audience category. Before the first regular morning shows on September 24, it had already crossed the Rs 40 crore gross mark worldwide through global pre-sales and paid premiere shows held on September 23.

Hyderabad was the top domestic market in advance sales, contributing more than Rs 7.40 crore for Day 1. In the overseas market, distributor Prathyangira Cinemas reported more than $1.11 million, or about Rs 10.60 crore, in North American premiere pre-sales alone, a figure reported to be more than double the premiere collections of HIT: The Third Case.More about the film

The film has also received a mixed critical response. India Today gave it 2 stars, and a part of the review read, "The Paradise starts with a promising premise about an oppressed tribe living under Malik’s brutal rule, where even pregnant women are not spared. The opening sequences make it clear that this is not the usual Nani film. Unfortunately, what begins as a potentially compelling story soon gets buried under excessive violence, gore and an increasingly muddled execution. The film appears to have plenty to say about oppression and power, but its storytelling rarely knows how to say it effectively."

The Paradise marks Nani’s second collaboration with Srikanth Odela after Dasara. Produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas banner, the film also features Mohanlal, Sonali Bendre and Sampath Raj in pivotal roles, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.- EndsALSO READ | Enjoyed trolls, also learnt from flaws: Actor Nani reacts to The Paradise criticism