Telugu film Thandel, featuring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, has experienced mixed fortunes at the box office since its release on February 7, 2025. After starting strong, the romantic action thriller saw its momentum decline as it entered its fifth day of screenings, raising concerns about its overall performance.
On its fifth day, Thandel earned ₹3.50 crores, bringing its total net collection to ₹44.35 crores. The movie has been experiencing reduced occupancy rates, with 22.87% overall attendance reported on February 11. Morning shows recorded 17.67% occupancy, afternoon shows 22.81%, evening shows peaked at 23.49%, and night shows reached 27.49%, according to box office tracking service Sacnilk.
Despite the initial blockbuster response, the film has faced challenges during the weekdays. Over the first four days, Thandel recorded earnings of ₹11.5 crores on day one, ₹12.1 crores on day two, and ₹12.75 crores on day three, before dropping to ₹4.5 crores on day four. Industry analysts noted the significant drop of 64.71% compared to its third day, which saw the film garner ₹12.75 crores.
The film, budgeted at ₹90 crores, revolves around the real-life ordeal of fishermen who unintentionally drifted onto Pakistani waters, capturing the nuances of their arrest and the emotional journeys involved. Naga Chaitanya shared about his role on social media, stating, “Transforming Into Thandel Raju Was Challenging And Extremely Satisfying...” This glimpse showcases his commitment to embodying the character's struggles.
Critical reception has been mixed but somewhat favorable. ETimes rated the film 3.5 out of 5, highlighting the effective choreography of dance sequences and action scenes, as well as strong production values. Their review noted, “Thandel is An Engaging Romantic Action Drama That Delivers On Its Promise,” indicating the film's appeal, notwithstanding pacing issues.
Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, Thandel showcases the chemistry between Chaitanya and Pallavi, who previously starred together, and depicts how their love story intertwines with the fisherman’s trials. The film resonates themes of love against the backdrop of distressing circumstances.
Looking forward, the film has the potential to recover some of its box office momentum, especially with Valentine’s Day approaching, sparking hope for increased turnout. Audience anticipation might be reignited over the long holiday weekend, offering opportunities for the film to climb closer to the ₹50 crores mark, seen as the next significant milestone.
Despite the diminishing numbers post-weekend, Thandel is still making waves at the box office, maintaining its status as one of the noteworthy Telugu releases of the year. Naga Chaitanya's father, superstar Nagarjuna, expressed his pride via Twitter, commending his son’s efforts and the film's importance to their family and fans.
The overall net collection for Thandel stands at ₹44.35 crore as of Day 5, with expectations poised on its performance, influenced by audience reception and upcoming market conditions.