Mohan Babu Says Srikanth Odela Pushed Him Like Never Before
The veteran actor says his menacing Shikanja Maalik role demanded repeated takes, intense physical preparation and even a rare shirtless action sequence.
Veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu says director Srikanth Odela pushed him harder than almost any filmmaker in his long career while making The Paradise, Nani’s latest theatrical release.
Mohan Babu plays Shikanja Maalik, a major antagonist in the Srikanth Odela-directed period action drama, which opened worldwide on September 24. Speaking at a post-release media interaction, the actor described the role as one of the most ferocious characters he has attempted and recalled how exacting Odela was on the set.
“Srikanth narrated the story to me, but once I went to the set, he really put me through it,” Mohan Babu said, according to the remarks shared from the event. “In my 50-year film career, I have done around 500 films and played many villain roles. But I have never done a character this terrifying.”
The actor joked that had he known beforehand just how extreme the characterization would be, he might not have agreed to the film. But after committing to the project and joining the shoot, he said walking away was no longer an option because it would have affected Nani, the producer and the production schedule.
Mohan Babu particularly highlighted Odela’s insistence on multiple takes. According to the actor, the director would ask him to alter tiny details within a performance — changing the expression in his eyes at one point and building toward greater fury at another — sometimes requiring about 10 takes for a scene.
Using a typically earthy Telugu analogy, Mohan Babu said Odela extracted a performance from him like sugarcane being repeatedly run through a crusher until nothing was left.
Despite joking about the demanding experience, Mohan Babu was emphatic in his praise for the filmmaker. He said Odela was no ordinary director and predicted a major future for him in Indian cinema.
He also recalled a lighter side of their working relationship, joking that the director initially had mutton sent from home for him for a couple of days before apparently forgetting about the arrangement.
A rare shirtless action role
One of the biggest physical challenges, Mohan Babu said, was Odela’s decision to have him perform action without a shirt.
The veteran actor said he has appeared bare-chested in only a handful of films during his career, recalling a film with his mentor Dasari Narayana Rao and Rayalaseema Ramanna Chowdary before The Paradise.
When Odela told him that he wanted a shirtless fight sequence at this stage of his career, Mohan Babu said he was surprised by the director’s confidence. He subsequently trained regularly in the mornings and evenings to prepare himself physically for the scenes.
Mohan Babu’s casting as Shikanja Maalik had been officially revealed by SLV Cinemas months before release. The production banner described the character as a return to the actor’s villainous side. The Paradise also stars Nani as Jadal, alongside Kayadu Lohar, Sonali Kulkarni, Raghav Juyal and Sampoornesh Babu.
Produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under SLV Cinemas, the film reunites Nani and Srikanth Odela after Dasara. Anirudh Ravichander composed the music, with CH Sai handling cinematography and Navin Nooli serving as editor.
The film opened on September 24 and has drawn sharply varied reactions from viewers and reviewers. Nani himself acknowledged the criticism after release, saying he had taken note of the flaws pointed out in the feedback while also thanking audiences for their support.
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