Thandel

Went with flat expectations and was pleasantly surprised, although not completely satisfied.

Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi's chemistry is the major asset of the film, it's what keeps you engaged despite the routine stuff on offer. But introducing the patriotism angle in the 2nd half is a major letdown, neither it's fresh nor it engages, climax wrapped up conveniently.

Naga Chaitanya has shown good improvement in terms of acting and screen presence, Sai Pallavi continues where she left from Amaran, but it feels repetitive. Others have got nothing.

Technically, DSP's work deserves huge applause, shows he's still the best in the business, Shamdat's camera work is superb, editing by Navin Nooli could have been better, 2nd half feels so long and dragged, production values by Geetha Arts are fine.

Coming to Director Chandoo Mondeti, has done a good job when it comes to love story, but the patriotism parts felt unnecessary and forced.

BOTTOMLINE: Not a long lasting, but fairly enjoyable love story.

Story lineup drives everything .As, the movie is based on true event . Average performance by Naga Chaitanya and Over action by Sai pallavi , One time Watcher , not so necessary dance bits planned for Sai pallavi just to elevate , but didn't work . Andhra Film makers now realized the pain for the ill treating the dialecs of any region . Till Telangana achieved statehood every Andhra Film maker criticized Telangana dialect , now when Andhra dialecs are treated small or neglected they are feeling the pain .

Felt like it could be directed even better . Any other female lead other than Sai Pallavi would have been better inplace of this role .

An overdramatic true story and far from reality, dragged love story.

First half could have been completed in one song aka 5 minutes, the director dragged it so much that the whole crowd in mid town theatre were waiting to go for a break looking at each other's face.

The chemistry between Sai Pallavi and Chay is good, the only saving part in first half. By the way music is good., three stars are for just music.

The second half has unnecessary patriotic scenes that do not gel with story line, though it is true story, the way it was directed is half baked, does not look five percent realistic. Made a mockery of Jails. The waghah border scene could have 10x better but director satisfied with poor acting and storyline.

Overall people felt sleepy in first half and dozed off in theatre in second half.

Beyond a point you cannot rely on Sai Pallavi to rescue a movie every time. This is a true story which has been dramatised for superior cinematic viewing, however the duration of the movie has lasted longer than necessary with certain repetitive sequences around the emotional scenes thereby diluting the impact of the natural chemistry between the lead actors. It's like making a larger Dosa with the same cup of batter. Must watch but not more than once. DSP's thematic tune is lilting and positively haunting. Casting is excellent. I wish there was a more outdoor shoot, especially on the coastlines, instead of showing the same fishing harbour five times.

A love story that pulls at the strings of your heart. The lead pair of Naga Chaitanya & Sai Pallavi get into the skins of their respective characters with such finesse. A word for Naga Chaitanya - his transformation into Thandel Raju can easily be a case study for other actors who wish to play such layered & complex characters. This is quite simply his best performance by far in his career. DSP's songs & BGM elevate the movie by leaps & bounds, coming at the right places and in the right format. Director Chandoo dis hos best in turning this real-life story into a magnificent celluloid creation with the right amount of drama and emotion. Overall, for movie lovers across the world, Thandel is a must-watch. Period.