‘Thandel’ Movie Review
Movie: Thandel
Release Date: 07-02-2025
Banner: Geetha Arts
CBFC Rating: UA
Run-time: 2h 32m
Cast:Naga Chaitanya,Sai Pallavi, Prakash Belawadi, Karunakaran, Mahesh Achanta and Others
Story by: Karthik Theeda
Cinematography: Shamdat Sainudeen
Editing: Naveen Nooli
Music :Devi Sri Prasad
Producer: Bunny Vasu, Allu Aravind (presenter)
Direction:Chandoo Mondeti
Thandel, starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, is a romantic and patriotic tale that explores the lives of fishermen from Srikakulam who accidentally drift into Pakistani waters. The film, directed by Chandoo Mondeti, promises to be an emotional and thrilling ride. Music by Devi Sri Prasad has already become a chartbuster and the intriguing trailer raised expectations, Produced by Allu Aravind’s Geetha Arts, Thandel hit the screens today, February 7th worldwide. Let’s get into the review.
Plot
The story revolves around Raju (Naga Chaitanya), a fisherman from Srikakulam, and his fiancée Satya (Sai Pallavi). Their lives take a dramatic turn when Pakistani authorities arrest Raju, and Satya’s fears come true. The film’s narrative is a blend of romantic and patriotic elements, with a focus on the struggles of the fishermen and their families.
Performances
Naga Chaitanya delivers a remarkable performance as Raju, undergoing a significant transformation to play the role of a fisherman. He masters the Srikakulam accent and elevates the scenes with his emotions and expressions. On the other hand, Sai Pallavi plays Satya with her signature natural style. Prakash Belawadi, Karunakaran, and Divya Pillai deliver impressive performances in supporting roles.
Highlights
– Naga Chaitanya’s remarkable performance
– Sai Pallavi’s natural acting
– Devi Sri Prasad’s music and background score
– Shamdat Sainuddin’s cinematography
Drawbacks
– Predictable plot
– Patriotic scenes feel forced
Analysis
Thandel, directed by Chandoo Mondeti, starts on a promising note, beautifully showcasing the romantic bonding and love between Sai Pallavi and Naga Chaitanya. The music, particularly the songs “Hilesso Hilessa” and “Shiva Shiva”, elevates the narration and makes the viewers invested in the story. However, the slow pace in the first half has been covered by the beautiful chemistry between Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. The interval twist, although surprising, sets the tone for a completely different plot in the second half.
During the second half, the film’s attempt to incorporate patriotic elements and address political issues, such as Article 370 and Indo-Pak conflicts, comes across as forced and detracts from the emotional and love story of the lead pair. Despite its flaws, Thandel has its moments, particularly in the performances of the lead pair. Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi deliver terrific performances, and their chemistry on screen is undeniable.
Devi Sri Prasad’s music and background score are also noteworthy, elevating the romantic and emotional scenes and making the viewers feel invested in the story. The cinematography by Shamdat Sainuddin is also pleasing, capturing the beauty of the locations and adding to the overall visual appeal of the film. Production values by Geetha Arts are adequate and showsan uncompromising attitude in delivering a quality output. However, with a little fine-tuning of the script, avoiding convenient screenplay and cinematic liberties, Thandel could have been a memorable outing. Thandel is a film that attracts with its real-life elements, making viewers connect with the romantic and patriotic narrative. Nevertheless, the film is a must-watch for its impressive performances, music, and cinematography.
Bottom-line: A Romantic and Patriotic Tale with Impressive Performances
Rating: 3.5/5
