Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi’s latest film, Thandel, has made a powerful start at the box office. The movie recorded the highest-ever opening in Naga Chaitanya’s career, grossing Rs 21.27 crore worldwide on its first day. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti and produced by Geetha Arts, the film hit theaters on February 7, receiving mixed to positive reviews.
Strong Start at the Box Office
Despite varying opinions from critics, Thandel drew huge crowds on its opening day. The film’s North American collections have crossed $400K and are expected to reach the half-million mark soon. It also sold over 227,000 tickets on BookMyShow in the last 24 hours, the highest for any Indian movie this week.
The film’s success is crucial as the producers have not sold the theatrical rights. The entire box office earnings will determine whether they recover their investment. With an estimated budget of Rs 80-100 crore, Thandel needs strong collections over the first weekend to ensure profitability.
Audience and Critical Response
The film, based on the real-life story of Srikakulam fishermen captured by Pakistan for trespassing into their waters, has resonated with many viewers. While some critics praised the love story between Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, others felt the shift to the Pakistan storyline was less engaging.
Some critics noted “The romance sails smoothly, but when the film shifts to Pakistan, it becomes a heroic tale where emotions get lost in the action.”
Fans, however, are loving Naga Chaitanya’s performance, calling it “captivating” and “intense.” Many praised the film’s storytelling, Devi Sri Prasad’s background score, and Shamdat’s cinematography.
Weekend Crucial for Success
Thandel is expected to perform well on Day 2 and throughout the weekend. Industry insiders predict that if positive word-of-mouth continues, it could become Naga Chaitanya’s highest-grossing film.
The film also marks Chandoo Mondeti’s third collaboration with Naga Chaitanya after Premam and Savyasachi. Apart from Thandel, Naga Chaitanya is working on an upcoming film with Karthik Varma, the director of Virupaksha.
With strong collections and growing buzz, Thandel is shaping up to be a major success. Fans can book tickets now and experience this gripping love story on the big screen.
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