Nani-starrer ‘The Paradise’ was released in theatres last Thursday with the actor experiencing his biggest box office opening although receiving mixed response from audiences. It also features senior actor Mohan Babu who plays the main antagonist Shikanja Malik. Recently he attended an event with the film’s team and opened up about his experience working on the film.
Mohan Babu opens up about playing villain Shikanja Malik
As per Cinema Express, Mohan Babu said that despite acting in more than 500 films during his 50-year career, he had never played a character like Shikanja Malik.“I have acted in more than 500 films as a lead actor and villain, but in my 50-year-long career, I have never played a character like Shikanja Malik. The character is so cruel and terrifying that if the director had told me beforehand about the extent of his cruelty, I might not have accepted it. Director Srikanth Odela presented me with such a violent and terrifying image on screen,” he said.Mohan Babu revealed that he agreed to do the film because he felt that backing out could create problems for the producer, hero and other members of the team. He also praised director Srikanth Odela for the trust he received from producer Sudhakar Cherukuri.“I have seen only one or two producers who put complete faith in a director and make a film by placing the entire responsibility on them. Producers used to have the same kind of trust in our guruvugaru Dasari garu, and now producer Sudhakar Cherukuri has placed that same trust in Srikanth,” Mohan Babu said.
Mohan Babu compares ‘The Paradise’ director with Dasari Narayana Rao
He also compared Srikanth’s working style to that of legendary filmmaker Dasari Narayana Rao and said the director pushed him to deliver his best. Mohan Babu said Srikanth would carefully guide him during every scene and even tell him how much anger he needed to show while delivering a dialogue.
Mohan Babu praises Nani’s performance
Mohan Babu also praised Nani for his performance in ‘The Paradise’. He said the actor has all the qualities needed to excel on screen.“He is a fantastic performer in every way. Some people are good only at dancing, but Nani has everything. He delivered a good performance, and I feel proud of Nani as an actor,” he said.Mohan Babu also advised Srikanth to keep moving forward without worrying about what others say about him.“If we keep worrying about what people are saying behind our backs, we can never reach our destination. There is no need to worry about anyone. Our journey is our own. You have to keep moving forward and not look back at what people say about you,” he said.