Thandel (lit. 'Captain of the boat')[4] is a 2025 Indian Telugu-language romantic action thriller film[5] written and directed by Chandoo Mondeti.[6] Produced by Bunny Vasu under Geetha Arts, and starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi.[7] The film is based on a real-life incident that occurred in 2018, depicting how Pakistani forces captured a fisherman from Srikakulam in international waters.[8][9]
| Thandel | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Chandoo Mondeti |
| Screenplay by | Chandoo Mondeti |
| Story by | Kartheek Theeda |
| Produced by | Bunny Vasu |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Shamdat Sainudeen |
| Edited by | Naveen Nooli |
| Music by | Devi Sri Prasad |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 151 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telugu |
| Box office | ₹100 crore[2][3] |
Thandel was initially scheduled to be released in January 2025, on the occasion of Sankranthi, but was postponed. The film was released in theatres on 7 February 2025 to mixed reviews from critics, who praised the lead cast's performance, visuals and soundtrack, while the narration received criticism. The film has grossed over ₹100 crores worldwide and is the fourth highest-grossing Telugu film of 2025 as well as the seventh highest-grossing Indian film of 2025.
Plot
Raju is a fisherman deeply in love with Satya. However, at one point, Satya urges Raju to stop going to the sea and look for other jobs. Ignoring her plea, Raju ventures out into the sea and accidentally drifts into Pakistani waters, where he is arrested. The rest of the story follows how Raju and Satya reunite after enduring a series of heartbreaking events.[10]
Cast
- Naga Chaitanya as Raju
- Sai Pallavi as Satya
- Prakash Belawadi as Pakistani Jailer
- Aadukalam Naren as Chittha
- Divya Pillai as Chandra
- Karunakaran as Murali
- Babloo Prithiveeraj as Satya's father
- Kalpa Latha as Raju's mother
- Charandeep as Suribabu
- Kalyani Natarajan
- Parvateesam
- Mahesh Achanta
- Reddi Bhanu Prasad as Pakistani Sentri
- Kishore Raju Vasishta as Indian Soldier
- Krishna Kumar P as Indian Soldier
- Sri Pavan as Indian Soldier
- Abhinav Singh Raghav as PA to External Foreign Minister
Production
Filming
The filming of Thandel started in December 2023 with the lead cast Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. The duo earlier acted in the 2021 romantic drama, Love Story. Major portions of the film were shot in Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and Udupi.[11][12]
A dance sequence in the film on Lord Shiva, "Namo Namah Shivaya", was shot with a budget of ₹4 crores where 900 trained dancers worked for the song.[13][14][15]
Soundtrack
The music of the film is composed by Devi Sri Prasad. The main soundtrack has four songs and additional two songs in the extended soundtrack.[16]
Release
Theatrical
Initially the film was planned for a Sankranthi festival release in January 2025. Due to some difficulties in shooting permissions and also for uncompromised quality of making, the makers have opted for 7 February 2025 in original Telugu and also dubbed in Tamil and Hindi languages.[17][18][19][20]
The Tamil dubbed version for Tamil Nadu distributed by S. R. Prakashbabu and S. R. Prabhu under Dream Warrior Pictures. The Hindi dubbed version for North India distributed by Jayantilal Gada under Pen Marudhar.
Home media
The satellite rights was acquired by Zee Telugu, while the post-theatrical streaming rights was acquired by Netflix for ₹40 crores.[21][22]
Reception
Critical response
Thandel met with generally mixed reviews from critics.[23][24]
Paul Nicodemus of The Times of India gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Thandel is an engaging romantic action drama that delivers on its promise. While there are moments where the narrative could have been tighter, the film’s decent storytelling, moving music, stunning visuals and brilliant lead performances ensure it leaves an impact. If you’re looking for an intense love story with drama, action, and a touch of patriotism, Thandel is worth a watch".[25] Avad Mohammad of OTTPlay gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "On the whole, Thandel is a deeply moving romantic drama, elevated by outstanding performances from Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. The emotionally gripping narrative keeps you engaged until the very end, making it a must-watch this weekend. Highly recommended".[26] Rachit Gupta of Filmfare gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "DSP's music and Shamdat Sainudeen's cinematography are highlights of Thandel. Together the music and visuals of this film are at par with any international production one may have seen. But director Chandoo Mondeti's direction and the screenplay don't always convince you of the epic that's unfolding on screen".[27]
Arjun Menon of Rediff gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "The reluctance to own the romantic tragedy at the heart for superficial thrills prevents Thandel from truly rising".[28] Avinash Ramachandran of The Indian Express gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "But the fact that there was space for just one love story to bloom rather than 22 life stories to come to life is why Thandel is a lovely romance that doesn’t go all the way because it falls short of becoming an effective drama".[29]
Box office
Thandel reportedly grossed over ₹21.27 crore (US$2.5 million) worldwide in its opening day.[30]
References
- ^ "Thandel". Central Board of Film Certification.
- ^ "Thandel Worldwide Box Office Collection: Naga Chaitanya's Movie Crosses ₹100 Crore Mark". Times of India. 17 February 2025. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ^ Rangaiahgari, Bhanuprasad (16 February 2025). "Thandel Movie: రూ.100 కోట్ల క్లబ్లోకి తండేల్.. అక్కినేని వారసుడు వీర విధ్వంసం మాములుగా లేదుగా!". News18 Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ^ "Wondering what the title of Naga Chaitanya's next 'Thandel' mean? Let's find out..." www.ottplay.com. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ^ "Thandel". British Board of Film Classification.
When a brutal storm sends their ship drifting into Pakistani waters, a group of Indian fishermen are taken prisoner on suspicion of spying in this Telugu-language romantic action thriller.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya's next with Chandoo Mondeti titled 'Thandel'". The Hindu. 22 November 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi starrer 'Thandel' gets a release date". The Hindu. 6 November 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ Harsh, B. H. (6 February 2025). "Thandel' is not about Indo-Pak conflict'". The New Indian Express.
- ^ "Thandel: Real Story Of Indian Fishermen Who Strayed Into Territorial Waters Of Pakistan, Got Caught And Tortured; Did They Survive?". 6 February 2025.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya shares inspiration behind the upcoming film 'Thandel'". The Times of India. 27 March 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "'Thandel' vizag shooting wrapped up!". The Times of India. 24 June 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "'Thandel' vizag shooting wrapped up!". The Times of India. 24 June 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "Thandel: Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi's grand Maha Shivaratri dance sequence made with a budget of Rs. 4 crore". The Times of India. 30 September 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi shoot for a Shivaratri song with 1000 dancers for Thandel". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya's 'Thandel' to have a massive dance sequence, featuring 900 performers". The Times of India. 28 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ Sistu, Suhas (22 January 2025). "Naga Chaitanya's 'Thandel' music promotions heat up". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi's Thandel to release early next year". India Today. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ Sharma, Bhavana (5 November 2024). "Thandel Theatrical Release Date Locked". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi starrer 'Thandel' to release in February 2025". The Times of India. 6 November 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi-starrer Thandel gets release date". The Indian Express. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
- ^ "THIS channel seals the satellite rights for Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi's 'Thandel'". The Times of India. 4 December 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ Sistu, Suhas (29 April 2024). "Netflix acquires digital rights for Naga Chaitanya's 'Thandel' in record-breaking deal". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
- ^ "'Thandel' movie review: Sai Pallavi, Naga Chaitanya elevate a partly-choppy romance saga". The Hindu. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Thandel Movie Review: Netizens Rave About Naga Chaitanya And Sai Pallavi's Chemistry, Hail THIS Scene". Zee News. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Thandel Movie Review: Naga Chaitanya & Sai Pallavi power this emotional action drama". The Times of India. 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Thandel Review: A moving romantic drama with breakthrough performances by Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi". OTTplay. 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Thandel Review - Epic romance in a not so epic film". Filmfare. 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Thandel Review: Patriotic Love Story". Rediff. 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Thandel Movie Review: Sai Pallavi, Naga Chaitanya shoulder a layered romance but get bogged down by superficial drama". The Indian Express. 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi's chemistry sees surge on Saturday, earns Rs 24.14 cr". The Indian Express. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.