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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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1 year ago

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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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Dhurandhar raw and uncut version set for digital premiere on two major streaming platforms

In a major surprise for action film fans, the raw and uncut version of Dhurandhar is launching tomorrow across both Netflix India and JioHotstar with uncensored footage and multiple audio tracks.

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6 days ago

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May 21, 2026

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Dhurandhar

Indian cinema enthusiasts are in for an unexpected treat as the highly anticipated unfiltered version of the blockbuster film Dhurandhar is officially heading to digital platforms. In a surprising double-platform strategy, the raw and uncut cut of the action-packed movie is scheduled to begin streaming on both Netflix India and JioHotstar.

The sudden announcement from the streaming platforms has sparked significant buzz across social media. While much of the recent digital speculation has centered around the streaming schedule for the sequel, media updates have confirmed that this specific raw release applies to the franchise’s first installment. Starting tomorrow, viewers in India will be able to watch the unfiltered version of the movie in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, complete with intense gore sequences and raw dialogues that were previously trimmed.

Dual-platform digital release brings uncensored action

The announcement has cleared up initial confusion among fans who were anticipating updates regarding the franchise. While international audiences have seen varied streaming distributions for the franchise, viewers within India will uniquely get access to the first film’s “undekha” (unseen) cut simultaneously on two separate streaming applications.

The standard digital premiere for the second installment, Dhurandhar 2, remains locked for June 4, 2026, on JioHotstar and will mirror the standard censored cut that was showcased during its theatrical run. However, for fans seeking an uncompromising, high-octane cinematic experience, the original film’s extended, raw edition arrives online tomorrow on both competing streaming services.

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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.

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1 month 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.

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2 months 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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