Piracy has once again hit the Indian film industry, and this time, it has affected Thandel, the latest film starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. The film’s producer, Bunny Vas, has demanded strict action after discovering that a pirated version of Thandel was played inside an Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus.
On Monday, Bunny Vas took to social media to raise the issue. He tweeted, “We have come to know from @Way2NewsTelugu that an @apsrtc bus (Service No: 3066) played a pirated version of our #Thandel. This is not only illegal but also an insult to the entire team that worked tirelessly on the film. I urge APSRTC Chairman Konakalla Narayana Rao Garu to take strict action and set an example to prevent such incidents in the future.”
A Film Based on a True Story
Thandel, directed by Chandoo Mondeti, is inspired by real-life events. The movie follows the story of 20 Indian fishermen from Andhra Pradesh who were captured by Pakistani authorities and imprisoned after crossing international waters.
Speaking at an event, Allu Aravind, who presented the film under Geetha Arts, shared details of the true incident. He revealed that the fishermen had traveled from a small village near Vizag to Gujarat for a 30-day fishing trip. However, due to bad weather, they unknowingly crossed into Pakistan’s territory, leading to their arrest. The film portrays their struggles and how their families fought to bring them home.
Piracy Threatens the Film Industry
Piracy has been a long-standing issue in the Indian film industry, and Thandel is the latest victim. A high-quality version of the film was leaked online on its release day, and later, a local cable channel even aired it.
Bunny Vas warned of strict legal action against those involved in piracy. He reminded people that individuals responsible for pirating Geetha Govindam (2018) are still in jail. “We won’t spare anyone who watches or spreads pirated copies of Thandel,” he stated firmly.
Strong Opening and Positive Reviews
Despite the piracy concerns, Thandel has opened to strong box office numbers and received positive reviews from both critics and audiences. The film features Naga Chaitanya as Raju and Sai Pallavi as Sathya, portraying a heartfelt love story.
The movie’s music is composed by National Award-winning Devi Sri Prasad, with Shamdat handling cinematography. Naveen Nooli, another National Award winner, served as the editor, while Srinagendra Tangala led the art department.
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