Raghav Juyal joins Nani in ‘The Paradise’ in a surprising new avatar

Raghav Juyal, best known for his dance moves and quirky screen presence, is shifting gears once again, and this time, he’s headed into intense territory. On his birthday, the actor got official welcome to the cast of ‘The Paradise’, an action thriller directed by ‘Dasara’ fame Srikanth Odela and led by Telugu star Nani.

The announcement came via a post from SLV Cinemas on Thursday.

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“Team #TheParadise wishes the talented @TheRaghav_Juyal a very Happy Birthday. We are welcoming him in a role that will be unique and will take everyone by surprise,” the makers wrote.

Team #TheParadise wishes the talented @TheRaghav_Juyal a very Happy Birthday ❤️‍

Welcoming him in a role that will be unique and will take everyone by surprise #THEPARADISE in CINEMAS , .

Natural Star @NameisNani in an @odela_srikanth cinema ❤️‍… pic.x.com/HKxnIWBUDE

— SLV Cinemas (@SLVCinemasOffl) July 10, 2025

At the core of the film lies a powerful story about a neglected tribal community that has faced systemic injustice for generations.

The turning point comes when a new leader rises from within, determined to confront the forces that have long kept them silent and sidelined.

Director Srikanth Odela opened up about the casting process, revealing that Raghav wasn’t the obvious choice, at least, not initially.

Also Read: Rajamouli announces ‘Baahubali: The Epic’ as one combined film, set for global release in 2025

“We had imagined someone lean, with a thick mustache, playing a ruthless figure. But then we watched ‘Kill’. Raghav’s performance in that film was chilling. He brought a raw menace that we didn’t expect from someone known for his dance and light-hearted roles. He completely won us over,” Odela told ‘Variety’.

Juyal, once widely recognized as the “King of Slow Motion,” is quickly reshaping his image in the film industry. After earning critical acclaim for ‘Kill’, which had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the ZEE5 mystery series ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’, he’s making a mark.

Shooting for ‘The Paradise’ began on June 21, and the team has already given fans a taste of what’s to come. A behind-the-scenes photo features Nani as ‘Dhagad’, dressed in green leather shoes and sporting an anklet.

The caption read, “Dhagad joins #TheParadise. In cinemas 26-03-2026,” locking in the release date.

Meanwhile, Nani’s last release was ‘HIT: The Third Case’. He stepped into the shoes of a no-nonsense cop, Arjun Sarkaar. The film hit theatres on May 1, 2025, and was a production under his own banner, Wall Poster Cinema.