Thandel is an intriguing romantic action thriller that tells the story of Raju, a brave fisherman from a small village near Srikakulam. Set against the backdrop of the sea, the film unfolds the complex relationship between Raju and his childhood love, Sathya. While Raju is passionate about fishing and proudly takes on the role of "Thandel" for his boat, Sathya is constantly worried about his safety and dreams of a more stable life together. Their love story is both touching and tumultuous, as Raju grapples with his deep connection to the sea and the dangers that come with it.

Directed by Chandoo Mondeti and featuring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi in lead roles, Thandel is inspired by a real incident from 2018 involving the capture of an Indian fisherman by Pakistani forces. The film, which started filming in December 2023, showcases stunning visuals shot in various locations, including Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam. Despite receiving mixed reviews, with praise for the performances and music but some criticism of the storytelling, the film has resonated well with audiences, grossing over ₹100 crores at the box office. Chaitanya's portrayal of Raju even earned him the Telangana Gaddar Film Award for Best Actor, making it a notable entry in Telugu cinema for 2025.

Movie

Thandel

Lyricist

Sri Mani

Director

Chandoo Mondeti

Written By

Chandoo Mondeti, Kartheek Theeda

Produced By

Bunny Vasu

Cast

Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi

Cinematography

Shamdat

Edited By

Naveen Nooli

Music Director

Devi Sri Prasad

Release Date

7 February 2025 (2025-02-07)

Running Time

151 minutes

Country

India

Language

Telugu

Published

February 24, 2025