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Thandel social media review: Sai Pallavi, Naga Chaitanya shine in a flawed romantic saga

Conversely, Pallavi’s performance is less consistent. In scenes where Chaitanya conveys a realistic longing for his partner, her expressions of joy can feel excessive, bordering on melodrama, reminiscent of the manic pixie dream girl trope. However, as the story progresses, she finds her rhythm and delivers a more expected performance.

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Tollywood hasn’t delivered a heartwarming love story in some time, but Chandoo Mondeti’s film “Thandel,” featuring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, presents a mix of elements, excelling particularly in its portrayal of romance. The film opens strongly, stumbles in the middle, but ultimately regains its stride.

The narrative centers around Raju (Chaitanya) and his beloved Satya (Pallavi), childhood sweethearts dreaming of a life together. Their primary challenge arises from Raju’s job as a fisherman, which keeps him away for nine months each year in Gujarat. Their relationship is characterized by rare phone calls filled with longing, a flag at the lighthouse symbolizing his absence, and cherished moments when he returns home. However, a broken promise and a fishing trip gone awry put their bond to the test.

“Thandel” draws inspiration from a true story involving the detention of 22 fishermen from Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, who were held by Pakistan for 13 months after inadvertently crossing into their waters. The director weaves in themes of nationalism alongside the romance, successfully engaging the audience during the love-story segments, while the focus on the fishermen’s troubles in Karachi Central Jail feels less compelling. At the beginning, a title card states, “Where drama begins, logic ends,” and the director certainly adheres to this notion.

Chaitanya delivers a strong performance as Thandel (the ship’s captain), embodying the character with authenticity—complete with a rugged look, tanned skin, and an emotional depth that resonates, particularly in a poignant scene where he confronts heartbreak. His portrayal draws viewers in, even during the film’s weaker moments, bolstered by Devi Sri Prasad’s evocative music, especially the track “Bujji Thalli.”

Conversely, Pallavi’s performance is less consistent. In scenes where Chaitanya conveys a realistic longing for his partner, her expressions of joy can feel excessive, bordering on melodrama, reminiscent of the manic pixie dream girl trope. However, as the story progresses, she finds her rhythm and delivers a more expected performance.

The sequences depicting Raju and his crew in Karachi feel contrived, especially moments when Pakistani inmates insult India without provocation. Furthermore, the portrayal of bureaucratic hurdles and the role of Sushila Swaraj (the counterpart to Sushma Swaraj) lacks the urgency the situation demands. The authenticity of the lead characters’ Srikakulam accent also comes into question, as their struggle with dialogue contrasts sharply with the supporting cast’s ease.

In summary, “Thandel” may not appeal to viewers seeking a serious, logical examination of the topic, akin to the Hindi film “Sarabjit” from 2016. Instead, it offers a light-hearted romantic drama that resonates as long as the audience invests in the main characters and hopes for their love to triumph. While there is room for improvement, this film could very well be the breakthrough Chaitanya has been aiming for.

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Ramayana teaser unveiled as Ranbir Kapoor appears as Rama in Nitesh Tiwari’s epic film

The teaser of Ramayana has been released, showing Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama. The film will release in two parts in 2026 and 2027.

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Ramayana Teaser

The teaser of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film Ramayana has been released, offering the first glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor in the role of Lord Rama. The film, which is planned as a two-part cinematic project, is scheduled for a Diwali release later this year.

The teaser shows several key moments, including scenes from the coronation and the exile period in the forest of Panchavati. Ranbir Kapoor appears in the role of Rama with a calm and composed presence. The teaser also briefly shows Yash in the role of Ravan towards the end.

Ahead of the teaser launch, Alia Bhatt shared a video message on social media asking audiences to support the project and Ranbir Kapoor’s work on the film. In the video, she said the “Rama unit” video would be released and encouraged audiences to watch and support the film.

Budget and scale

Producer Namit Malhotra said the film has been in development for six to seven years and is being made on a large scale. According to him, the total budget for both parts is around $500 million, which is over Rs 4,000 crore combined.

He said the film is being made for a global audience and aims to present the epic on a large cinematic scale while remaining efficient in production.

Music collaboration

The film’s music is being composed through a collaboration between AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Rahman said working on a project based on such an iconic epic is challenging, as the team wants to present something new while respecting the importance of the story.

Release plan and cast

The film will be released in two parts. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide release in October 2026 ahead of Diwali, while the second part is planned for release during Diwali 2027.

Apart from Ranbir Kapoor, the film also stars Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey and Yash in important roles.

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Dhurandhar 2 box office collection day 7 crosses Rs 600 crore in India

Dhurandhar 2 continues its strong box office run, crossing Rs 600 crore in India and Rs 1000 crore worldwide within its first week.

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Dhurandhar 2 review

Ranveer Singh’s film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge has crossed the Rs 600 crore mark at the India box office within seven days of its release, according to trade estimates. The film has maintained a strong run in both mass centres and urban markets during its first week.

As per trade figures, the film’s India net box office collection stands at around Rs 623 crore after seven days, while the gross domestic collection is estimated to be over Rs 740 crore. The film has also performed strongly in overseas markets, taking its international collection to more than Rs 250 crore. With this, the worldwide box office total has crossed Rs 1,000 crore within the first week of release, as per trade estimates.

Day-wise performance in India

The film opened strongly on March 19 with box office collections of over Rs 100 crore. The film continued to perform well over the next few days, collecting around Rs 80 crore on Day 2 and over Rs 110 crore on Day 3. Collections remained strong over the weekend, followed by an expected drop on weekdays. By Day 7, the film collected around Rs 47 crore, taking the total India net collection past Rs 600 crore.

Overseas performance and comparison

The film has also reported strong performance in overseas markets, particularly in the UK and other key international territories. With the worldwide collection crossing Rs 1,000 crore in the first week, the film is being compared to the fast global box office pace seen by Pushpa 2: The Rule in terms of early box office momentum, according to trade observers.

About the film

Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge is the sequel to the 2025 film Dhurandhar. The sequel features Ranveer Singh along with Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan and Sanjay Dutt in key roles.

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Dhurandhar 2 review: Ranveer Singh dominates Aditya Dhar’s high-octane sequel

Dhurandhar 2 review explores Ranveer Singh’s standout performance in a violent and layered sequel directed by Aditya Dhar.

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Dhurandhar 2 review

The release of Dhurandhar 2 has brought back the kind of theatrical frenzy last witnessed during Pathaan, which marked Shah Rukh Khan’s return to cinemas. This time, the spotlight firmly belongs to Ranveer Singh, who headlines the second instalment of Aditya Dhar’s ambitious action franchise.

The sequel builds on the foundation of the first film, amplifying its scale, violence, and emotional depth. Positioned as a revenge-driven narrative, the story centres on Jaskirat Singh Rangi, whose personal tragedy in 2002 sets the tone for the film’s intense journey.

A revenge story rooted in personal loss

Jaskirat, a young man from Pathankot aspiring to join the Indian Army, is pushed into darkness after his father’s murder and the brutal assault on his sisters. His life takes a drastic turn when he is recruited into a covert operation by Ajay Sanyal, played by R Madhavan, along with his associate Sushant Bansal.

Over time, Jaskirat transforms into Hamza Ali Mazari, a lethal operative tasked with dismantling terror networks across Pakistan. The narrative follows his evolution into a ruthless force, balancing emotional vulnerability with extreme brutality.

Ranveer Singh anchors the film

At the core of Dhurandhar 2 is Ranveer Singh’s performance, which stands out for its range and intensity. Whether portraying emotional turmoil or executing violent missions, the actor commands attention throughout.

One of the film’s standout moments features his character in a restrained yet explosive state, delivering a chilling performance that adds to the film’s dramatic weight.

Expanding the universe with political and historical references

The film blends fiction with real-world references, incorporating elements like the 2008 Mumbai attacks, demonetisation, the Uri attack, and the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. It also introduces characters inspired by real figures, including terror operatives and political personalities.

A cameo reference to Narendra Modi adds another layer to the narrative, reflecting the film’s attempt to merge cinematic storytelling with contemporary political undertones.

Supporting cast adds depth

The film features strong supporting performances, including Arjun Rampal as Major Iqbal, who emerges as a formidable antagonist. However, the absence of a larger role for Akshaye Khanna is noticeable, despite his brief appearance.

Sanjay Dutt appears in an extended cameo, delivering a commanding screen presence. Meanwhile, Madhavan’s dual-layered portrayal adds narrative complexity.

Other actors like Sara Arjun, Gaurav Gera, and Rakesh Bedi contribute effectively, with their characters receiving more clarity compared to the first film.

Music blends multiple eras

The soundtrack of Dhurandhar 2 stands out for its diversity, featuring recreations and classics across decades. Tracks inspired by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kishore Kumar, and international artist Khaled add a unique musical layer to the film.

A sequel that answers questions but misses the climax high

While the film provides answers to several unresolved questions from the first part, it does not quite match the crescendo of its predecessor. Still, it succeeds in expanding the narrative universe and maintaining audience engagement.

Overall, Dhurandhar 2 is driven by Ranveer Singh’s commanding performance and its bold storytelling approach, making it a must-watch for fans of the franchise.

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