Raghav Juyal's fierce look as Vikram Maalik in Nani's 'The Paradise' revealed
Synopsis
Raghav Juyal steps into uncharted territory as the gold-chain-clad, fire-and-rain-framed Vikram Maalik in Nani's 'The Paradise' — a look that signals the film's intent to deliver a villain for the ages. With over 100 shoot days done, a festival-season release on 21 August 2026, and an eight-language rollout, this is one of the most ambitious multilingual bets of the year.
Key Takeaways
Raghav Juyal's first look as Vikram Maalik in 'The Paradise' was revealed on 19 June 2026 by production house SLV Cinemas .
The film stars Nani in the lead, directed by Srikanth Odela , with music by Anirudh Ravichander .
Makers confirmed over 100 shooting days completed with no reshoots , countering earlier rumours.
Veteran actor Mohan Babu plays Shikanja Maalik ; Sampoornesh Babu plays a character called 'Biryani' .
Release date shifted from 26 March 2026 to 21 August 2026 , targeting a three-week festival window.
The film will release in 8 languages : Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, English, Spanish, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Raghav Juyal's first look as the menacing Vikram Maalik in director Srikanth Odela's upcoming action spectacle 'The Paradise' was unveiled on Friday, 19 June, sending fans into a frenzy. The character reveal, shared by production house SLV Cinemas across its official social media channels, offers the first substantive glimpse of Juyal in a role that marks a dramatic departure from his earlier screen image.
The Character Reveal
The glimpse video presents Vikram Maalik as a figure defined by power, danger, and unpredictability. Set against a backdrop of fire, rain, and chaos, the visuals show Juyal draped in heavy gold chains, projecting a commanding, intimidating presence. SLV Cinemas described the character with the caption: 'Presenting #RaghavJuyal as VIKRAM MAALIK from #TheParadise. #JadalZamana — Natural Star @NameisNani in an @odela_srikanth cinema. An @anirudhofficial musical.' The reveal underscores the film's apparent ambition to reposition Juyal — widely known for his dance-led roles — as a full-blooded antagonist.
Production Status and Rumour Rebuttal
The first look arrives weeks after the makers moved to publicly counter a wave of speculation surrounding the film's production timeline. In May 2026, SLV Cinemas issued a formal clarification through the film's official handle on X, stating: 'Over the past few days, we've noticed several baseless rumors and irresponsible speculations being circulated about #TheParadise. For clarity: #TheParadise was planned with absolute clarity from day one, and the film is progressing exactly as intended. Over 100 shooting days have already been completed successfully, and the remaining schedule is happening as planned — without delays.'
The makers were equally categorical on the question of reshoots: 'There has not been a single reshoot till date. There will be no reshoots planned for #TheParadise in future as well. Every stage of this film is being executed with the scale, precision, and conviction it was envisioned with.'
The Ensemble and Release Strategy
The film features a layered villain line-up. Veteran actor Mohan Babu, whose behind-the-scenes footage was released in March 2026, plays a character named Shikanja Maalik. Actor Sampoornesh Babu has also been confirmed in a role titled 'Biryani', adding an eccentric dimension to the antagonist roster. Telugu star Nani leads the film, with composer Anirudh Ravichander scoring the music.
Originally slated for a 26 March 2026 release, 'The Paradise' was pushed to 21 August 2026 — a strategic repositioning that places it within a three-week festival window encompassing Onam, Milad-un-Nabi, Raksha Bandhan, and Janmashtami. For a high-budget, multilingual spectacle, this extended holiday runway could meaningfully amplify box-office returns.
Multilingual Scope
The film is set for release in eight languages — Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, English, Spanish, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam — signalling pan-India and international ambitions that go well beyond the typical Telugu theatrical footprint. The Spanish inclusion is particularly notable and suggests a deliberate push into diaspora and international markets.
With the 21 August 2026 release date now confirmed and key character reveals building momentum, all eyes will be on the next promotional milestone — likely a full trailer — as the film enters its final pre-release stretch.
Point of View
Whose public identity has been almost entirely built on dance, as a credible screen villain. That is a high-risk creative bet, and the fire-and-gold visual language suggests the makers know it. The postponement from March to August, framed as a festival-window opportunity, is a sound commercial call, but the three-week holiday stretch also means the film will face a crowded, competitive marketplace. The eight-language release — including Spanish — signals international ambition that few Telugu productions have matched; whether the content delivers on that scale will be the real story come August.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Vikram Maalik in 'The Paradise'?
Vikram Maalik is a villain character played by Raghav Juyal in the Nani-starrer 'The Paradise'. The first look, unveiled on 19 June 2026, depicts the character as a powerful, unpredictable figure set against imagery of fire and chaos, adorned with heavy gold chains.
When is 'The Paradise' releasing?
'The Paradise' is set for a grand worldwide release on 21 August 2026 . The film was originally scheduled for 26 March 2026 but was postponed to take advantage of a three-week festival window that includes Onam, Raksha Bandhan, and Janmashtami.
In how many languages will 'The Paradise' release?
The film will release in eight languages : Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, English, Spanish, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam. The inclusion of Spanish signals a deliberate push into international and diaspora markets.
Who else is in the cast of 'The Paradise'?
Besides Nani in the lead, the film features Mohan Babu as a villain named Shikanja Maalik and Sampoornesh Babu in a character called 'Biryani' . Music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander , and the film is directed by Srikanth Odela .
Were there reshoots for 'The Paradise'?
No. The makers of 'The Paradise' categorically denied all reshoot rumours in May 2026 , stating that over 100 shooting days had been completed as planned and that 'there has not been a single reshoot till date.' They also confirmed no reshoots are planned in the future.
