Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi’s latest film, Thandel, has had a phenomenal start at the box office, setting new records for both actors. Released on February 7, 2025, the film has generated strong buzz across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi-speaking audiences. The pre-release hype translated into impressive advance bookings, with the film grossing approximately ₹37 crore before its official release. Industry insiders estimate that with additional walk-in audiences and current bookings, Thandel could cross ₹60 crore worldwide on its opening day, making it the biggest solo opener of Naga Chaitanya’s career.
Surpassing Expectations Despite Past Setbacks:- Thandel
Despite Chaitanya’s last few films underperforming at the box office, Thandel has shattered expectations. The film’s strong pre-release promotions, gripping storyline, and the chemistry between Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi have played a crucial role in attracting audiences. In the Andhra and Telangana regions alone, the film secured advance bookings of around ₹27.50 crore, with the Nizam area contributing ₹10.50 crore. Meanwhile, the Hindi version of the film recorded approximately ₹3.5 crore in advance sales in North India, while overseas markets added another ₹6 crore, bringing the total advance collection to ₹37 crore.
Word-of-Mouth and Weekend Collections Hold the Key
However, for Thandel to be considered a massive hit, it will need to sustain strong momentum over the weekend and continue performing well in the coming weeks. Positive word-of-mouth has already started spreading, with early viewers praising the film’s emotional depth, action sequences, and the lead actors’ performances. Given the strong audience response, analysts expect the weekend collections to further boost its total earnings, possibly making it one of the highest-grossing films of Chaitanya’s career.
A Gripping Storyline Rooted in Reality:- Thandel
Directed by Chandoo Mondeti and produced by Bunny Vasu under Geetha Arts, Thandel is a romantic action thriller inspired by real-life events. The story follows a group of fishermen from Srikakulam who unknowingly cross into Pakistani waters during a routine fishing trip. What follows is an emotional rollercoaster involving love, sacrifice, courage, and patriotism. The film’s screenplay has been lauded for its gripping narrative, and the performances of the lead actors have been highlighted as a major strength.
Valentine’s Week Boost and Future Prospects
With Valentine’s Week just around the corner, Thandel is expected to maintain strong occupancy in cinemas, especially among couples and families. If the film continues to perform well, it could set new benchmarks for both Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, solidifying their position as one of the most bankable on-screen pairs in the industry