Addressing a recent court order restraining derogatory online content against his film The Paradise, lead actor Nani clarified that the crubs are aimed at AI-generated and bot-driven content and not genuine reviews of the film. Speaking at a pre-release event for The Paradise, one of his biggest releases in years, Nani was quoted as saying, "... it’s not for real people or real reviews or real reactions or real criticisms. It’s not for anything like that,” he said.
Earlier, on September 19, a Bengaluru court issued an ex-parte interim injunction restricting allegedly false or derogatory online content against The Paradise. The court was hearing a petition filed by the film’s producers seeking interim protection.
Nani said he was apprised by a team member of the severity of bot-driven reviews and comments, and how they can damage a film’s perception. “It’s for the people who hire these things, hire AI for this bot-generated nonsense,” Nani said.
The court order, too, emphasised this distinction, noting that its purview does not cover genuine comments or reviews of the film.
The Telugu period action drama has received an 'A' certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, with a final runtime of two hours and 49 minutes. The certification comes days ahead of the film's worldwide theatrical release on September 24.
The 'A' certificate restricts theatrical exhibition to adults only. No official statement on the certification has been issued by the makers, and the list of cuts, if any, has not been made public.
The Paradise is written and directed by Srikanth Odela and produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the SLV Cinemas banner, and is co-produced by Ishan Saksena.
The film's narrative centres on a marginalised tribal community that's been long denied basic rights, with the story tracking the rise of a leader who challenges a deeply entrenched system of oppression.
Nani had earlier described The Paradise as the most demanding production of his 18-year career, both physically and emotionally.
"The Paradise is the most tiring film of my career, both physically and mentally. If there has been a film for which I have worked very hard in these 18 years of my film career, it is The Paradise," the actor said.