Mohan Babu Reveals Srikanth Odela Cut His Character’s Wife in The Paradise

Mohan Babu, who made a striking return as the menacing Shikanja Malik in Nani’s recent film The Paradise, has opened up about an unexpected twist during the film’s production. Directed by Srikanth Odela and produced by SLV Cinemas, The Paradise has been a major box office success, grossing nearly ₹175 crore worldwide in its first week.

During a candid conversation, Mohan Babu revealed that director Srikanth Odela had initially promised him a wife for his character. Odela reportedly went so far as to hold auditions at the production office to find a new actress for the role. However, after the first schedule wrapped up, Mohan Babu inquired about when his on-screen wife would join the shoot. To his surprise, Odela informed him that the character had been removed due to changes in the script.

Mohan Babu recounted the incident with good humour, joking that Srikanth Odela had "cheated" him by promising a heroine and then cutting the character from the film. The actor’s playful take on the situation has added a light-hearted note to the film’s post-release discussions.

The Paradise features a strong ensemble cast, including Kayadu Lohar, Raghav Juyal, and Sonali Kulkarni, with music composed by Anirudh Ravichander. The film’s impressive collections and Mohan Babu’s memorable performance have kept it in the spotlight, while this behind-the-scenes anecdote offers fans a glimpse into the creative changes that shaped the final product.