Nani-starrer The Paradise was released on September 24 and received a mixed response from audiences and critics. Actor Mohan Babu played the antagonist Shikanja Malik in the film. The makers held an event on Saturday, which was attended by the film’s team, including Mohan Babu and Nani. Mohan Babu revealed how director Srikanth Odela narrated the story to him and how he eventually accepted the film.
“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,” said Mohan Babu at The Paradise event.
He added that he agreed to shoot for the film because he felt that backing out could cause problems for the producer, hero and other members of the unit. The actor heaped praise on director Srikanth Odela. “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,” said Mohan Babu.
At the event, Mohan Babu also spoke about how people often say that he is angry and difficult to work with, while those who actually work with him say that he becomes like a child on the sets and encourages everyone.
Addressing the subject, Mohan Babu said that he would like to speak openly about several issues but has to be careful because he runs a university and his statements could affect the students. “There are certain things I would like to talk about, but in a democracy, we cannot speak about everything freely. People who run educational institutions need to be even more careful about what they say. If I say something even slightly wrong, it could bring a bad name to 20,000 students. I have a lot of anguish within me, and there are many things I want to say,” said the actor.
He added that while films allow them to talk about many social issues, there are limitations when it comes to discussing such subjects in real life. “We talk about morality, justice, righteousness, corruption and irregularities through our films because those subjects need to reach people. But there are limitations when it comes to speaking about such things in real life,” he said.
Mohan Babu once again praised Srikanth Odela and said that the director reminded him of Dasari Narayana Rao in the way he extracted performances from actors. “Even while I was delivering a dialogue, Srikanth would tell me exactly how much anger I needed to show. He also asked me to do shirtless scenes. In my entire career, I have appeared bare-bodied in only three films,” he said.
He added that after Dasari Narayana Rao, Srikanth is the only director who made him do so many takes. “Srikanth is the director who made me do the most takes in my life. Our guruvugaru Dasari garu would also make me do multiple takes sometimes. When I asked him, ‘Why, guru garu?’ he would say, ‘The more water you draw from a well, the more you get. In one of those takes, the real actor within you will come out,’” recalled Mohan Babu.
The actor also told Srikanth that he would like to work with him again, but requested him not to give him another character as cruel as Shikanja Malik. “Srikanth, don’t give me such a cruel and terrifying character again. You are not an ordinary director. On the sets, you completely forgot that I was Mohan Babu and treated me only as Shikanja Malik. That is a great quality in a director,” said Mohan Babu.
He further said that he learnt something new every day while working with Srikanth. “Even though I knew that I had talent, I learnt something new every day while working with Srikanth. He will become a great director in the future,” he said.
Mohan Babu also offered some advice to Srikanth, saying that the film industry has opportunities for everyone with talent. “If someone has talent, the industry will take them forward. No one can stop them,” he said.
Talking about people who speak behind one’s back, Mohan Babu advised Srikanth to keep moving forward without worrying about what others say. “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,” said Mohan Babu.
He added that many things happen between a director and a hero on a film set and there is no need to reveal everything to the outside world. “There is no need to tell everyone about everything that happens on the sets. More importantly, there is no need to be afraid of anyone. People who are passionate and short-tempered also tend to have stronger emotions, and I am also like that,” said Mohan Babu.
The actor also praised Nani for his performance in The Paradise and said that the actor possesses all the qualities required to excel. “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,” said Mohan Babu.