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Thandel Review: Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi’s chemistry shines amidst a struggling plot

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1 year ago

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Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi in a romantic scene from the movie "Thandel."

The much-anticipated romantic action thriller Thandel, starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, finally graced the big screen on February 7, 2025. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, the film sets out to deliver a compelling story of love and survival but ends up leaving much to be desired, particularly in its latter half.

The plot:

Set against the backdrop of a fishing community from Srikakulam, Thandel follows the lives of Raju (Naga Chaitanya) and Satya (Sai Pallavi), who come from a group of fishermen working in the waters of Gujarat for most of the year. With only three months to spend with their families, their lives are dictated by the rhythms of the sea. The film starts as a tender romance, focusing on the emotional connection between Raju and Satya despite their separation.

However, the plot takes a sharp turn when Raju, during one of his voyages, is accidentally captured after straying into Pakistani waters. What follows is a blend of action, survival, and patriotism, as Raju’s quest to escape captivity becomes the core of the story. The suspense around whether Raju will ever reunite with Satya is what propels the movie forward.

The good:

Where Thandel truly excels is in its portrayal of the romance between Raju and Satya. Their love story, though set in a world of hardship, remains sincere and emotionally powerful. Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi’s performances are undoubtedly the highlight of the film. Chaitanya’s portrayal of Raju, a man deeply tied to his roots and his love for Satya, is heartfelt and authentic. Sai Pallavi, as always, brings her charm and depth to the character of Satya, making their on-screen chemistry palpable.

The first half of the film offers a breezy and refreshing take on love, with the cinematography by Shamdat Sainudeen bringing a lush and evocative quality to the visuals. The romantic sequences are enhanced by the music of Devi Sri Prasad, whose melodies complement the emotional tone of the film beautifully.

The bad:

Unfortunately, the film’s potential begins to unravel in the second half. What starts as a nuanced exploration of love and sacrifice turns into a generic survival story drenched in patriotism. The transition from romance to action feels forced, and the overly dramatic narration detracts from the emotional core established earlier. The introduction of unnecessary characters, like Karunakaran and Divya Pillai, further dilutes the impact, leaving the viewer detached from the story.

The pacing slows down considerably in the latter part of the film, with the plot getting bogged down by cliché heroism and uninspired drama. What could have been an intriguing exploration of survival in hostile conditions becomes a tedious exercise in formulaic storytelling.

The performances:

While the film falters in many areas, the performances of Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi continue to elevate it. Chaitanya is convincing as Raju, a man torn between his love and the dangers of his profession, while Sai Pallavi brings her characteristic warmth and sincerity to Satya. Together, they form the emotional core of the movie, making it easy for the audience to invest in their journey.

On the other hand, the performances of the supporting cast, particularly Karunakaran and Divya Pillai, fail to leave any lasting impact. Their characters feel like unnecessary additions to the narrative, and their performances do little to advance the story.

Watch the Thandel trailer here:

Thandel Trailer

The verdict:

Thandel starts with great promise, offering a fresh take on love and the sacrifices it demands. However, the film loses its way when it pivots to a more conventional action-thriller plot. While the lead performances are strong, the second half’s lackluster storytelling and the film’s over-reliance on patriotism and heroism make it a difficult watch for anyone hoping for a more cohesive narrative.

If you’re a fan of Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, or if you’re in the mood for a romantic tale with a touch of action, Thandel might still be worth a visit to the theater. But for those seeking a tightly written, engaging story from start to finish, this film may not be the one to satisfy your cinematic cravings.

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Dhurandhar 2 bags massive OTT deal, likely to stream on JioHotstar after IPL 2026

Dhurandhar 2 lands a Rs 155 crore OTT deal with JioHotstar and may release after IPL 2026.

Published

2 weeks ago

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April 20, 2026

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Dhurandhar

The upcoming Bollywood film Dhurandhar 2 has reportedly secured a significant OTT deal, underlining its strong market buzz ahead of release. According to media reports, the film’s digital streaming rights have been acquired by JioHotstar for approximately Rs 155 crore.

The makers are expected to follow a strategic release plan, with the film likely to premiere on the platform after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. JioHotstar also holds digital streaming rights for the tournament, and the post-IPL window is seen as an effort to retain audience engagement.

Reports suggest that the film could arrive on OTT in late May or early June 2026, depending on its theatrical release schedule and run. However, there is no official confirmation yet regarding the exact streaming date.

Industry observers note that the reported deal highlights the growing demand for big-ticket Hindi films among streaming platforms, especially those expected to draw strong audience interest.

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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.

Published

1 month ago

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April 2, 2026

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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.

Published

1 month ago

on

March 26, 2026

By

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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