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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.

Entertainment

Gaurav Khanna wins Bigg Boss 19, lifts trophy and Rs 50 lakh prize

Gaurav Khanna has been crowned the winner of Bigg Boss 19, securing the trophy and Rs 50 lakh after a competitive finale.

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Television actor Gaurav Khanna has been declared the winner of Bigg Boss 19, bringing the curtain down on a season packed with drama, intense face-offs and emotional moments. He secured the top spot after a closely fought finale, with Farhana Bhatt finishing as the first runner-up.

Gaurav Khanna’s steady game pays off

Premiering on August 24 with 18 contestants, the season showcased shifting alliances, sharp strategies and memorable confrontations. Despite being seen as quiet in the early weeks, Gaurav Khanna gradually emerged as one of the strongest voices inside the house. His composed demeanour and calculated task performance helped him build momentum through the competition.

Farhana Bhatt ends as runner-up

Farhana Bhatt, known for her dynamic presence and determination throughout the season, finished second. Although she narrowly missed the title, her journey remained one of the standout tracks of the show.

Finale eliminations

The grand finale began with multiple eliminations — Amaal Mallik was the first finalist to bow out, followed by Tanya Mittal, and then Pranit More, leaving Gaurav and Farhana as the top two contenders.
Gaurav ultimately lifted the trophy and took home a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh.

With the conclusion of Bigg Boss 19, the show wraps another season marked by strategy, rivalry and heartfelt moments that kept viewers engaged from start to finish.

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Entertainment

Dhurandhar review: Ranveer Singh roars back, Akshaye Khanna shines in intense spy thriller

Ranveer Singh returns with a ferocious performance in Dhurandhar, supported by Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, and a gripping espionage storyline set against real historical events.

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Dhurandhar review

Ranveer Singh makes a striking return to the big screen with Dhurandhar, delivering a fierce, layered performance in Aditya Dhar’s ambitious spy thriller. Blending historical terror incidents with a fictional revenge saga, the film explores India’s covert response to cross-border terrorism through the secret project ‘Dhurandhar’.

A brutal world built around revenge and espionage

Set around the IC-814 Kandahar hijack and the 2001 Parliament attack, Dhurandhar opens with Ajay Sanyal, an Intelligence Bureau officer played by R Madhavan, who strongly opposes releasing captured terrorists. Despite his resistance, bureaucracy prevails, setting the stage for the covert mission he later leads.

The project introduces its central weapon — Humza Ali Mazari, later revealed to be Jaskirat Singh Rangil — portrayed by Ranveer Singh with ferocity and emotional depth. Dropped straight into Karachi’s dangerous Lyari district, Humza navigates a nexus of gangs, politicians, and the ISI, with the narrative also touching upon tensions between local Pakistanis and Baloch communities.

Performances that elevate the film

Akshaye Khanna nearly steals the spotlight as a feared Lyari gangster inspired by Rehman ‘Dakait’ Baloch. Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of SP Chaudhry Aslam brings an intimidating presence, while Arjun Rampal’s Major Iqbal leaves a lingering impact despite limited screen time.

Sara Arjun plays Yalina with conviction, and the film also features an unrecognisable Gaurav Gera in a surprise appearance.

Music, violence, and a split narrative

Shashwat Sachdev’s background score stands out, weaving classic Pakistani melodies with Indian retro hits to complement the film’s shifting tones. Viewers should be prepared for intense brutality, graphic torture scenes, and sudden shifts in narrative style — especially in a second half that feels markedly different from the first.

The episodic structure, archival footage, and mix of real and fictional characters add layers, though some may find the format distracting.

Ending that sets up part two

While the film does not end on a dramatic cliffhanger, its teaser for the second part — scheduled for March 19, 2026 — ensures audiences will return to witness the conclusion of Humza’s journey.

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Entertainment

120 Bahadur box office day 1: Farhan Akhtar’s film starts slow with Rs 2.35 crore opening

Farhan Akhtar’s new release 120 Bahadur opened to Rs2.35 crore, while De De Pyaar De 2 continued its strong hold on day eight.

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Farhan akhtar

Farhan Akhtar’s latest release 120 Bahadur hit theatres on November 21 but registered a dull opening on its first day, earning Rs 2.35 crore. In comparison, De De Pyaar De 2, which is now in its second week, continues to show stronger hold at the box office.

Slow start for 120 Bahadur on day one

The action-drama opened to modest numbers on Friday, collecting Rs2.35 crore on its first day. Despite pre-release buzz around Farhan Akhtar’s performance, the film has begun its run on the lower side.

De De Pyaar De 2 maintains its advantage

Meanwhile, De De Pyaar De 2 continues its steady run. On its eighth day, the film maintained an edge over 120 Bahadur in overall earnings, according to media. The strong hold of the Ajay Devgn-led sequel appears to have impacted the new release’s opening day business.

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