Review: Thandel - Engaging and Emotional

 

Movie: Thandel
Rating:3/5

Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi, Karunakaran, Divya Pillai, Prakash Belawadi, Prithviee Raj, Kalpa Latha, Kalyani Natarajan, Mahesh Achanta, and Others

Director: Chandoo Mondeti

Produced By: Geetha Arts

Release Date: February 07, 2025

Story:

The Pakistani police arrest Thandel Raju (Naga Chaitanya) along with twenty-one fishermen, placing them in prison. What was the reason for Raju and his team of fishermen to venture across the sea border? What happened to Raju and Satya's life (Sai Pallavi)? In what ways did Satya advocate for Raju and the team's justice and ensure their repatriation to India? The rest of the film shows has answers to all questions.

Performances:

Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi excelled in their roles. Chaitanya performed exceptionally well in the last moments. Karunakaran and Divya Pillai stood out, while Prakash Belawadi, Prithiveeraj, Kalpa Latha, Kalyani Natarajan, Mahesh Achanta, and others performed adequately. 

What worked for the film:

The film introduces its key conflict right away, and even though it unfolds at a leisurely pace, the first half turns out to be engaging and ends on a thought-provoking note. The chemistry between the lead duo worked well, with the train scene before the break standing out as the finest moment. The final twenty minutes of the movie are effective. The songs and background score by Devi Sri Prasad enhance the film's narrative.

What did not work for the film:

The second half of the film had great potential to explore, but the lackluster writing and direction during the scenes in the Pakistan jail disrupted the film's flow. Rather than emphasizing the feelings of Raju and his group, the director opted to add an unnecessary antagonist that failed to make a meaningful impact. The narrative surrounding Satya's struggle for Raju and her village, as well as the government's participation, could have been developed further.

Thandel Review and Verdict:

Thandel is an engaging and emotional love story. Chandoo Mondeti, the director, blended cinematic elements with actual events. Even though some parts of the film lag and the patriotic moments can be hit or miss, solid performances from the leads and pivotal scenes work well for it.