Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi’s latest pan-India romantic drama, Thandel, has taken the box office by storm. The film opened to a phenomenal response, raking in an impressive ₹21.27 crore gross worldwide on its first day. This marks the highest-ever day-one collection in Naga Chaitanya’s career, solidifying the film’s success.
Beyond its cinematic brilliance, Thandel is deeply rooted in a real-life incident. A significant portion of the film is set in Pakistan, drawing inspiration from a true story. The film’s premise is influenced by a Pakistani police constable who is an ardent fan of Tollywood superstar Allu Arjun. This officer played a crucial role in assisting Indian fishermen who were imprisoned in Pakistan.
When the fishermen were finally released, the constable made a heartfelt request—he wanted them to bring back Allu Arjun’s autograph as a keepsake. Upon their return to India, the fishermen shared this touching request with a man named Karthik. Moved by the story, Karthik reached out to producer Bunny Vas, a close associate of Allu Arjun, and conveyed the constable’s admiration for the actor.
Bunny Vas was captivated by the entire incident and saw potential in bringing this untold story to the big screen. This inspired the creation of Thandel, shedding light on the struggles faced by Indian fishermen and their resilience.
With its compelling narrative and real-life connection, Thandel has not only won hearts but also set the box office on fire, making it a significant milestone in Indian cinema.