A Love Story Adrift in Choppy Waters
On February 7, 2025, Telugu cinema welcomed Thandel, a romantic survival drama starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, directed by Chandoo Mondeti and produced by Geetha Arts. Marketed as an ambitious blend of love, action, and patriotism, inspired by real-life events involving Andhra Pradesh fishermen, the film arrived with high expectations. With Devi Sri Prasad’s chart-topping music and a buzzworthy lead pair reuniting after their 2021 hit Love Story, Thandel promised an emotional rollercoaster. Now, over a month since its theatrical debut, the verdict is in: it’s a heartfelt yet flawed voyage that doesn’t quite dock as a classic.
The story follows Raju (Naga Chaitanya), a fisherman from Srikakulam who earns the title of “Thandel”—a leader among his peers—thanks to his courage and loyalty to his community. His childhood sweetheart, Satya (Sai Pallavi), is his anchor on land, but her growing anxiety over his perilous sea voyages strains their bond. When Raju and his crew accidentally drift into Pakistani waters during a fishing trip, they’re captured and jailed, leaving Satya to fight for his return. What unfolds is a tale of love tested by distance, duty, and geopolitical tensions, with a dash of patriotic fervor thrown in for good measure.
The film’s first half is its strongest suit, painting a vivid picture of the fishermen’s rustic world. Mondeti, working from Kartheek Theeda’s story, roots the narrative in Srikakulam’s coastal life, complete with authentic dialects and a palpable sense of community. The romance between Raju and Satya sparkles in these early scenes—think stolen glances, playful banter, and Devi Sri Prasad’s soulful tracks like “Bujji Thalli” and “Hilesso.” Naga Chaitanya sheds his urban polish for a rugged, earnest portrayal of Raju, while Sai Pallavi, as always, brings effortless depth to Satya’s quiet strength and simmering fears. Their chemistry, though not as electric as in Love Story, carries the tender moments with conviction.
Visually, Thandel shines. Shamdat’s cinematography captures the sea’s vastness and the village’s earthy charm with equal finesse, while Sri Nagendra Tangala’s production design lends a lived-in feel. DSP’s score is the film’s lifeblood—his background music elevates even the slower stretches, and the songs are staged with a grandeur that’s pure Telugu cinema magic. It’s hard to disagree when “Siva Shakti” blasts through the speakers, making you forgive the occasional narrative lag.
But lag it does. The first half, while charming, overstays its welcome, spending too long on setup when a tighter edit could’ve sharpened the pace. Naveen Nooli’s editing falters here, letting scenes meander instead of building momentum. The real trouble brews in the second half, where Thandel veers into choppy waters. Once Raju lands in a Pakistani jail, the film pivots from romance to survival drama with a heavy-handed patriotic twist. The shift dilutes the emotional core, leaving the love story adrift.
Mondeti’s screenplay struggles to balance its ambitions. The real-life inspiration—fishermen unintentionally crossing borders—is compelling, but the execution leans too hard into commercial tropes. Raju’s heroics feel forced, and Satya’s efforts to free him, though valiant, get overshadowed by the film’s need to “upscale” into a massy spectacle. A subplot about the women back home, highlighted by some reviews as a potential strength, is undercooked—Satya confronting vendors or politicians could’ve been a film in itself, but it’s relegated to fleeting moments.
The performances, however, keep Thandel afloat. Naga Chaitanya delivers what many, call his “career-best” work. He’s raw and relatable as Raju, especially in the emotional outburst scenes near the climax. Sai Pallavi, predictably, is the film’s heartbeat—her expressive eyes and nuanced portrayal of Satya’s pain make you root for her even when the script doesn’t. The supporting cast, including Karunakaran and Divya Pillai, adds texture, though they’re underutilized.
So, is Thandel worth your time in March 2025, perhaps on Netflix where it’s now streaming? It’s a mixed bag. If you’re a fan of Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi’s chemistry or DSP’s music, there’s enough here to enjoy—especially the first half and the climactic last 20 minutes, which tie up the emotional threads decently. But don’t expect a deeply satisfying ride.
Thandel is a noble attempt at blending romance with real-world stakes, but it’s neither the epic love story nor the gripping drama it aspires to be. It’s a fisherman’s tale that catches some beautiful moments but lets the big one slip away.
Rating: 2.75/5
Streaming on Netflix as of March 13, 2025
Streaming on Netflix as of March 13, 2025