Sonali Kulkarni on The Paradise: “You Will Wish to Have Someone Like Sammakka in Your Own Life”

Nani, along with Kayadu Lohar, Raghav Juyal and Sonali Kulkarni, recently hosted a press conference in Mumbai ahead of the release of The Paradise. During the media interaction, Sonali opened up about her powerful character Sammakka, the emotional depth of the role and the experience of working on the highly anticipated action drama. While the film’s scale and visual world have already generated curiosity, the actor believes that the strength of Sammakka lies in the writing. Crediting the writers for giving her such a layered character, Sonali said, “I think the character written for me by our writers... While we speak about the grandeur or the craft of the film, we must give immense credit to our writers; because if something good isn't written, there is no way an actor can bring those emotions to the screen.”

Speaking about her character, Sonali admitted that she feels extremely fortunate to have been chosen to play Sammakka. “So, I feel absolutely fortunate—extremely lucky—to be playing Sammakka,” she said, while recalling the Hindi promotional material audiences have already seen. “You must have seen the Hindi trailer—well, it was actually the first teaser, not the full trailer—but it is beautiful.” Sonali then offered an intriguing glimpse into the world and emotional idea behind the character. “You know, history has recorded stories about parrots and pigeons, but never about the crows born into that same species; this is the story of those enraged crows.” The actor revealed just how emotionally overwhelming the material was for her, adding, “I mean, when I was delivering those lines—whether in Telugu or while dubbing in Hindi—I would get teary-eyed. It is deeply emotional because, on various levels, you will all connect with our emotions.”

Elaborating on Sammakka’s journey, Sonali described her as a woman whose story is closely tied to the struggle and transformation of those around her. “The downtrodden crows took up the sword. Sammakka is the story that unites those crows. My son became a hero; this is his story. That is the beauty of it,” she said. The actor was careful not to reveal too much but promised that Sammakka’s emotional journey would stay with audiences. “I mean, I am trying to give you a glimpse, but regarding the woman I portray—I am certain you will empathize with her, feel deeply for her, and take pride in her. And by the end of the film, I guarantee you will feel incredibly inspired by her; you will wish to have someone like Sammakka in your own life,” Sonali added.

Sonali also spoke warmly about working with Nani and described the experience as both challenging and memorable. “Working with Nani was a delight and a pleasure; he is a total cinema buff. We bonded over films,” she said. Recalling the difficult conditions during the shoot, she added, “He was very concerned for me because, as he rightly explained, it was a very simple setup. We battled against nature, against health issues, and even our own emotions; there was a massive waiting period, so our patience was truly tested.” According to Sonali, the challenge was not simply about physically enduring the shoot, but also maintaining the emotional intensity required by the story. “At the same time, regardless of your physical state, you have to portray emotions powerfully,” she said.

The veteran actor went on to praise Nani’s approach to his craft, saying she is eagerly waiting for audiences to see why he is known as the ‘Natural Star’. “I am just dying for the film to release so you can understand what it means to be a 'natural star.' It’s a simple label to give someone, but to actually be natural, you have to pour your life into it—because you need to experience every emotion with absolute honesty.” Sonali added, “I think Nani has dedicated so much of his life to the craft and to people; the way he emotes makes you feel deeply sentimental while watching him. There were times I forgot to act while in front of him—I’d just find myself staring at him, wondering, ‘How is he doing this?’ But it was a wonderful experience.” She also praised the discipline on the Hyderabad set, saying, “Everyone is treated with respect—not just the stars, but junior actors and technicians alike. People are looked after very well.”

Concluding her thoughts, Sonali expressed strong confidence in the role she has taken on in The Paradise. “I’ve done over a hundred films, and I guarantee you’ll be truly proud of the role I’ve played in this one,” she said.

Directed by Srikanth Odela, The Paradise marks his second collaboration with Nani after their blockbuster Dasara. Set in 1980s Secunderabad, the raw, dark action-thriller follows a marginalised tribe battling systemic discrimination as they fight for their citizenship under an unexpected leader. Nani plays the larger-than-life and intensely raw character Jadal, while Sonali’s Sammakka appears to be central to the film’s emotional core. The Paradise is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on September 24, 2026.