The Dark Lord Returns: Mohan Babu as Shikanja Maalik in The Paradise
The first look of Mohan Babu from Nani’s much-awaited The Paradise has set social media ablaze. At 73, the veteran star cuts an unforgettable figure — bare chest scarred, cigar smoldering, shades on, hands bloodied. The name: Shikanja Maalik. The reaction: pure frenzy.
For many, this isn’t just a poster drop. It’s the resurrection of a legend who redefined villainy for an entire generation of moviegoers.
From Villain to Hero — and Back Again
Mohan Babu’s journey in cinema is the stuff of lore. He made his debut in 1975 as a screen antagonist, quickly becoming one of the most formidable villains in Indian films. Through the 80s and 90s, he rose to become the highest-paid villain in the country, known for the baritone voice, sharp dialogue delivery, and magnetic presence that could hold its own against any hero.
Then came the transformation. Mohan Babu shifted gears, taking on lead roles and carving out a successful career as a hero, a producer, and a cultural force. With one rare exception — the cult Telugu film M. Dharmaraju M.A., where he famously played both protagonist and antagonist — he left behind the shadows of villainy.
Until now.
Why The Paradise?
What convinced Mohan Babu to return to playing a bad guy after so many years? The answer lies in two names.
First, Srikanth Odela, the young director whose powerful narration floored the veteran actor. Known for his gritty storytelling in Dasara, Odela gave Mohan Babu a character rich with menace and nuance — a role too tempting to ignore.
Second, Vishnu Manchu, his son and actor-producer, who urged him to embrace the challenge. It became a family moment, a creative decision wrapped in legacy and instinct.
The Frenzy Online
When the poster dropped, Twitter and Instagram lit up. Fans marveled at how Mohan Babu still radiates an unmatched villainous aura. Industry colleagues called it a “dark resurrection.” Nani himself set the tone, introducing the look with the dramatic line:
“Naam hai Shikanja Maalik. The Dark Lord of cinema rises again.”
From hashtags trending nationwide to fan art flooding timelines, the buzz has proven that Mohan Babu’s return isn’t just nostalgia — it’s an event.
Voices Behind the Film
The production house backing The Paradise called the casting “a masterstroke.” A spokesperson noted:
“Mohan Babu Garu brings an authenticity and fire to villainy that simply cannot be replicated. His presence as Shikanja Maalik elevates the film into an event that cuts across regions.”
For his part, Mohan Babu reflected on why this role mattered to him:
“Villainy has always been part of my DNA. Years ago, I stepped away from it, but when Srikanth narrated The Paradise, I felt the same fire I had when I first entered cinema. At this stage of my life, I wanted to prove that power on screen doesn’t age — it only deepens.”
More Than a Role
Mohan Babu’s choice to return as an antagonist is more than a casting decision. It’s a statement: that experience, aura, and craft can command attention beyond the tyranny of age. In a landscape obsessed with novelty, his presence reminds audiences of cinema’s timeless ability to reinvent its icons.
The Paradise is being mounted on a pan-India scale, releasing in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, English, and Spanish. But the heartbeat of its current buzz is one man — the legendary Mohan Babu, stepping back into the shadows to prove that no one plays darkness quite like him.
