Veteran actor Dr M Mohan Babu has ignited a storm across the internet with the jaw-dropping first look from his upcoming film The Paradise, directed by Srikanth Odela and produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas banner. The makers unveiled not one but two posters, instantly trending as Mohan Babu makes a powerful return in the menacing role of Shikanja Maalik, the main antagonist in this highly anticipated period action drama.
A Menacing Comeback
In the first poster, Mohan Babu is seen shirtless, seated commandingly on an ornate throne with blood-soaked hands, clutching a cigar, and sporting dark aviators. The upright sword and his intense, unapologetic look capture the rawness and danger of his character, evoking an aura of ruthless power and authority. The second poster takes the intensity further, with Mohan Babu—aka Shikanja Maalik—walking with swagger in front of a vintage car, carrying a weapon on his shoulder, signaling the arrival of a truly formidable villain. Both visuals underline the buzz around his commanding villainous comeback and have set social media ablaze with praise.
The Paradise: A Pan-India Spectacle
The Paradise stars Natural Star Nani in the lead and is based on true incidents from 1980s Hyderabad. The film promises high-voltage thrills, gripping drama, and a clash of iconic characters. Under Srikanth Odela’s direction, and with music by Anirudh Ravichander, the movie blends mass appeal, raw narrative, and technical innovation for an edge-of-the-seat cinematic experience.
Mohan Babu’s Return to Villainy
The internet is especially buzzing about Mohan Babu’s portrayal of Shikanja Maalik, dubbed “The Dark Lord of Cinema.” Industry insiders and fans alike are waiting in anticipation for his full-fledged villainous return, which is poised to deliver memorable confrontations with Nani’s protagonist. Even Mohan Babu’s daughter, Lakshmi Manchu, has praised his dedication, discipline, and transformation for the physically and emotionally demanding role.
The Paradise is scheduled for a massive worldwide release on March 26, 2026, in eight languages—Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, English, and Spanish—cementing its status as one of the year’s most-awaited pan-Indian films. With Mohan Babu’s menacing new avatar going viral, expectations are at an all-time high for a cinematic showdown of epic proportions.
