Thandel: Reel Story Dominates the Real Story

Few films stay with us only till we leave the theatre, few star with us for many days. Thandel comes as an example for the latter. Director Chandu Mondeti’s latest film Thandel starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi is making waves at box-office. Based on a true incident where fishermen from Srikakulam were captured by the Pakistan Coast Guard, the film was initially promoted as a real-life story. However, the love story in the movie has taken center stage leaving the real-life struggles in the background.

The film beautifully portrays the love between Raju and Bujji Talli making it an emotional experience for the audience. While viewers expected a strong focus on the fishermen’s struggles, the director surprised everyone by prioritizing the romantic elements. The first half is filled with heartwarming love scenes while the second half has a limited portion dedicated to the Pakistan jail episode. The film focuses more on the emotional connection between the lead pair.

Although ‘Thandel’ is inspired by real events, the reel love story dominates throughout. Chandu Mondeti skillfully crafted a romantic drama making it appealing to a wider audience. Had the film stuck strictly to reality, it might have felt more like a documentary. Instead, the mix of fiction and romance has worked in its favor.

The film’s music and screenplay play a crucial role in enhancing the love story. The background score elevates the emotional scenes and the song ‘Bujji Thalli’ is eye feast for fans. Compared to recent romantic films, ‘Thandel’ stands out with its realistic performance and deep emotions.

Overall, ‘Thandel’ is not just a real-life drama but a beautiful love story. With youth audiences flocking to theaters in February and March, the film is likely to perform well at the box office.