Naga Chaitanya’s ‘Thandel’ completes one year, actor thanks fans
HYDERABAD: The critically acclaimed Telugu film Thandel, on Friday, marked one year since its theatrical release. Lead actor Naga Chaitanya celebrated the milestone on social media, expressing gratitude to audiences and the filmmaking team for their support.
Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, Thandel starred Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi in pivotal roles. Inspired by a real 2018 incident involving fishermen from Srikakulam who inadvertently drifted into international waters, the film offered a gripping tale of survival and emotional resilience.
In his note, Chaitanya wrote, “As Thandel completes one year today, I just want to say a big thank you to all the audiences who made this journey so special. This film will always remain close to my heart. Huge respect to our director Chandoo Mondeti garu, my wonderful co-star Sai Pallavi, and the entire team who poured their hearts into making this possible.”
1 year for #Thandel thank you all for making this special , sending out love to the entire team 🙂 #Dhullakotteyala@Sai_Pallavi92 @chandoomondeti @ThisIsDSP @GeethaArts #AlluAravind @TheBunnyVas @_riyazchowdary @Shamdatdop @NavinNooli @KarthikTheeda @Srinagendra_Art… pic.twitter.com/KDDAtfLYCi
— chaitanya akkineni (@chay_akkineni) February 7, 2026
The actor underwent a significant physical and emotional transformation for his role, changing his appearance and body language to authentically portray a coastal fisherman. This marked a departure from his previous on-screen personas. Sai Pallavi played Satya, a character of strength and fortitude, earning praise for her nuanced performance.
Extensive research, including interactions with fishing communities and filming in real coastal locations, gave the film a strong sense of realism. Released on February 7, 2025, Thandel resonated with critics and audiences, crossing the Rs 100 crore mark worldwide at the box office.
Its success extended beyond theatres. After its theatrical run, the film premiered on Netflix, followed by a widely watched satellite television premiere. It became one of the most-viewed Telugu films on television over the past year.
