When Natural Star Nani stepped out of his comfort zone to portray a rugged, rustic character- Dasara happened. Now, Nani is set to surprise once again, as he teams up with director Srikanth Odela and producer Sudhakar Cherukuri of SLV Cinemas once again for an even bigger project. Their new film, titled The Paradise, is currently in the early stages of production and promises to showcase Nani in yet another bold, larger-than-life role.
Today, the makers unveiled the glimpse of the film, titled Raw Statement. From the very first frame, one can understand why the term “raw” is used. The atmosphere, language, narrative, and backdrop are unapologetically gritty powerful. The glimpse opens with a disclaimer—raw truth, raw language, setting the tone for what’s to come.
A powerful voiceover delivers the core of the story, saying, “In history, everyone has written about parrots and pigeons, but no one has ever written about crows born of the same species. This is the story of those crows whose stomachs burned with hunger. The cries of the corpses that have been walking for age. A tale of a community raised on blood, not milk, from their mother’s breast. A spark ignited that filled the entire community with enthusiasm. Crows who had once been belittled now held swords in their hands. This is the story of a rebellious young man who united those crows. The story of that young man becoming a leader.”
The opening shots show slums littered with dead bodies, with crows ominously flying above. Then, a massive explosion marks the entry of the protagonist, Nani, who emerges in an unexpected get-up. Sporting a rugged look, including a watch strapped to his shoes and a country-side gun pulled from the water, he walks with a fierce determination, leading his people with pride. Although his face remains hidden, the sheer power of his body language and posture, highlighted by his muscular physique and double braids, immediately convey the intensity of the character. His belt, emblazoned with the word HERO, symbolizes his role as the leader of his people.
This Raw Statement of a mother and a revolution of a son hints at the first-of-its-kind narrative and also Nani’s most raw and intense character to date. The dialogue and the tattoo “LK” becomes most talked topic on social media. The guts of a hero to accept this kind of role. Director Srikanth Odela has once again proven himself as a visionary filmmaker, masterfully constructing a immersive world that captivates audiences from the very first frame.
From a technical standpoint, Raw Statement excels in every department. Cinematographer GK Vishnu delivers breathtaking visuals that perfectly capture the film’s unrelenting energy and intense atmosphere. Rockstar Anirudh Ravichander’s electrifying score stands out, enhancing the high-stakes narrative with every beat. His music amplifies the adrenaline-pumping moments. The production design by Avinash Kolla is another standout element of Raw Statement.
The Raw Statement, released in five languages—Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, English, and Spanish — delivers the unexpected, setting a new standard and raising the bar for cinematic excellence. The Kannada, Malayalam & Bengali versions of the glimpse will be released shortly. As announced through the Raw Statement, The Paradise will arrive in cinemas on March 26, 2026.
