Nani’s much-awaited action drama The Paradise has become one of the most talked-about Telugu films of the year, not just for its opening-day numbers, but also for an unexpected controversy surrounding online reviews. Days after the film’s release, BookMyShow disabled audience ratings and comments for the movie, sparking discussions among fans and industry observers about online feedback, review manipulation, and the role of ticketing platforms. Directed by Srikanth Odela, The Paradise arrived in cinemas with enormous expectations, record-breaking advance bookings and a wide release. However, the film received an underwhelming response from audiences and critics, leading to intense debate across social media platforms.
The Paradise box office collection
Despite the controversy, The Paradise opened strongly at the box office. Trade reports cited by The Indian Express noted that the film registered advance bookings exceeding Rs 50 crore globally, making it one of the biggest openings of Nani’s career. Yet, reactions to the film have been sharply divided. While many viewers praised Nani’s performance, the scale of the film and Anirudh Ravichander’s music, others criticised parts of the screenplay and pacing, particularly in the second half. Reviews from critics and audience posts on social media reflected this split opinion.
Why were reviews disabled?
BookMyShow has not issued an official explanation, but the platform now displays the message: “Rating & Review Disabled” on the film’s page. Reports indicate that several other recent films have also seen reviews restricted on the platform.
The development comes shortly after a Bengaluru court granted interim protection against allegedly defamatory content related to The Paradise ahead of its release. However, the court reportedly clarified that genuine reviews and legitimate criticism would not be affected. Nani said the move is aimed at AI and bot-generated material. “It does not target genuine reviews,” the actor added.
Actor Nani has also addressed the debate, stating in media interactions that constructive criticism is important and that filmmakers learn from audience feedback. Reports suggest he acknowledged that every film has strengths and flaws and emphasised the value of honest reviews.
The episode has reignited conversations about how online ratings influence movie-going decisions. In an era where audience scores can shape a film’s reputation within hours, filmmakers, platforms and viewers are increasingly debating the balance between genuine criticism and organised online campaigns.
Nani's The Paradise ratings disabled on BookMyShow amid negative reviews
