Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi's latest cinematic venture, Thandel, hit the theaters on February 7, 2025, and has already made waves at the box office. The film, directed by Chandoo Mondeti, is inspired by the true story of Indian fishermen who find themselves caught by Pakistani authorities. With impressive ticket sales on its opening day, Thandel looks poised to become one of the biggest successes of the year.
On its first day, Thandel reportedly earned around Rs 10 crore across all languages, with the Telugu version contributing significantly, accounting for approximately Rs 9.8 crore, according to industry tracker Sacnilk. This outstanding opening marks one of the highest for Naga Chaitanya since his previous collaboration with Sai Pallavi on the film Love Story. Despite the strong performance at the box office, the film's Hindi and Tamil versions saw only modest returns, earning Rs 15 lakhs and Rs 5 lakhs respectively.
The film's compelling narrative focuses on Srikakulam fishermen who unintentionally drift across the international border during their fishing expeditions, leading to dire consequences. This heart-wrenching tale of survival and resilience has touched many viewers, showcasing not just the high stakes involved but also human emotions under pressure.
According to early estimates, Thandel had strong attendance, achieving overall occupancy rates of 53.58% for Telugu screenings. The film's night shows saw the highest turnout, peaking at 71.10%, indicating positive audience reception and strong word of mouth. Critics and audiences alike have lauded Naga Chaitanya's performance, with many believing it to be his best work since his last release. "Thandel shows the family's courage and the emotional toll of being caught...,” remarked one analyst, encapsulating its impactful message.
Chaitanya's commitment to his role is evident; he reportedly spent two years preparing to authentically portray Thandel Raju, the fisherman at the film's center. Sai Pallavi, celebrated for her ability to convey emotions, has also received recognition for her role alongside Chaitanya, reigniting the chemistry they showcased previously.
Despite the excitement surrounding its release, Thandel did face competition from other films released on the same day, including Loveyapa and Badass Ravikumar, which likely diluted its audience share, particularly for its non-Telugu versions. The less favorable occupancy rates—9.13% for Hindi and 9.08% for Tamil—indicate the film's struggle to gain traction outside its primary target audience.
Critics have offered mixed reviews, highlighting the film's strong emotional core but also pointing out pacing issues as it transitions from personal stories to broader geopolitical themes. Avinash Ramachandran from SCREEN noted, "When the film focuses on the ups and downs of Sai Pallavi-Naga Chaitanya relationship, it sails quite smoothly, but the moment it enters the murky waters of Pakistan, the story shifts drastically." Such sentiments are echoed by audiences who praise its gripping narrative but express disappointment at its pacing.
Looking beyond the opening weekend, the film's total box office earnings stood at around Rs 21.75 crore after two days, showing minimal drop from its initial day. Analysts believe Thandel has strong potential to enter the coveted Rs 100 crore club, primarily fueled by the positive reviews and audience feedback. This could bolster Naga Chaitanya’s standing as a box office draw, especially after previous mixed performances from films like Custody, which underperformed significantly.
The movie is backed by Geetha Arts, with music by Devi Sri Prasad contributing significantly to the film's atmosphere, with several tracks already going viral before its release. The masterful soundtrack adds depth to the storytelling, evoking excitement and emotions throughout the film's duration.
Thandel's focus on actual events surrounding the captured fishermen and their endurance through trials adds real weight and relevance to the narrative. The film encapsulates themes of love, courage, and patriotism, which resonate warmly with its audience, and straddles the line between action thriller and touching drama.
With strong pre-release buzz translating to exceptional first-day bookings, Thandel looks set to shatter various records throughout its theatrical run. Following its bright opening, predictions for its continued success remain optimistic, especially as family and friends of the actors rally behind it, urging support across regions, particularly where Chaitanya, now married to actress Sobhita Dhulipala, has local ties. Chaitanya's heartfelt appeal for support from audiences not only for his role but also for their local pride indicates the emotional stakes tied to Thandel.
With gripping storytelling and well-placed performances, Thandel is well on its way to becoming one of the landmark films of 2025, marking its actors’ significant comeback and leaving audiences eager for what’s next.