Nani addresses criticism over the portrayal of Telangana people in 'Dasara' as alcoholic and dull: 'Everybody knows it's not stereotypical'

Tollywood star Nani is gearing up for the release of his upcoming movie 'HIT 3' on May 1, and the actor has been busy promoting the film over the past few days. In a recent interview, he spoke about the long-standing criticism regarding the representation of Telangana communities in Telugu cinema.
In a recent conversation with India Today, Nani addressed the criticism faced over the portrayal of Telugu-speaking people in his 2023 hit film 'Dasara'. He discussed how the movie depicted individuals as heavy drinkers and rugged characters.

Nani about Dasara
Nani explained that the film was set in Godarigini, a region known for its gold mines. He defended the depiction as a reflection of the real-life environment there, rather than a generalisation. “Everybody knows that after working so hard in the gold mines under the scorching sun, the only way to get some relief in the evening is to have a drink, eat, and sleep. Everybody knows it's not stereotypical. How can you base the story in Godarigini and not include those elements? There will be people sitting in Hyderabad saying you don’t have to shoot it like this. The director [Srikanth Odela] is from Godarigini. He understands the place much better,” he stated.
See more: HIT 3 Movie Review & Release Live update
Nani's 'The Paradise'
He also shared that his next film, 'The Paradise', is going to be different. The 'Hi Nanna' actor pointed out that each film demands authenticity in its setting and storyline. “I’m not saying everyone in Godarigini drinks, but that’s the world, that’s the setup, that’s the story idea. Obviously, he has to show it in a certain way, and The Paradise has its own approach,” he added.
He mentioned that if the classic hit 'Sagara Sangamam' were released today, people would likely find issues with that as well. He believes people tend to criticise everything. According to him, doing one’s best is what truly matters, and he assures that The Paradise will satisfy audiences.
'The Paradise', directed by Srikanth Odela, is expected to release in 2026.