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.

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.

Hearing a lot of reviews I happened to watch this movie. It was good in parts. As it was based on a real incident, those parts were good. The visual effects were definitely good. Music and cinematography was also good. Naga chaitanya and other actors deliver a great performance while Sai Pallavi's acting was top notch. However the things that didn't work well for me was certain jail scenes were disturbing, why it has to be shown that way whenever Indian movie makers take movies about Pakistan. Why can't they make movies like Bajrang bhaijaan?., also the climax of the movie was too clichéd and predictable.. Good movie but definetly not that great.

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.

After a long hiatus, N. C. (Raju) makes a strong comeback with Thandel, choosing a compelling script , engaging narrative, a well-executed screenplay, and a gripping performance.

The film's screenplay is seamless, keeping the audience invested throughout. Credit goes to the writers for crafting a story that flows effortlessly without any lag. The casting is spot-on, with every actor bringing depth to their characters.

A special mention to S. P. (Satya), who once again delivers a stellar performance. Her portrayal of the character is brilliant, and her dance sequences are a visual delight. As always, she captivates with her presence and effortless grace.

The music and songs blend harmoniously with the storyline, enhancing the emotional depth and adding to the film's immersive experience. Every track complements the narrative, making the musical journey just as engaging as the story itself.

Overall, Thandel is a heart-touching film that deserves to be experienced on the big screen. With a well-crafted script, strong performances, and an emotionally resonant story, it stands out as a cinematic triumph. Definitely worth watching!