Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi’s Thandel, directed by Chandoo Mondeti, continues to perform well at the Indian box office. Released worldwide on February 7th, the emotional love drama opened to positive reviews and sustained a solid run through its first weekend. However, despite its success in India and other international markets, the film’s performance in the US has left trade circles surprised.
Thandel Faces Unexpected Challenges in the US
Recent Telugu films with strong word-of-mouth and positive reviews have managed to rake in impressive numbers at the US box office. Given Thandel’s pre-release buzz, positive reception, and audience appreciation, industry experts expected it to comfortably surpass the $1.5 million mark. However, the film has been struggling to meet those expectations in the US.
As of Monday, Thandel has collected approximately $700K in America, making it a challenge to cross even the $1 million milestone. To achieve this, the movie now requires a strong second weekend in the US.
Stronger Overseas Performance Outside the US
While Thandel has underperformed in the US, it has seen better traction in other international markets like Australia, the UK, and the Gulf. The movie’s total overseas collection for four days stands at around $950K.
Despite its lukewarm reception in the US, the film continues to dominate the Indian box office, proving its emotional depth and engaging storytelling resonate well with the audience. The coming weeks will determine whether Thandel can gain momentum overseas or remain an India-driven success.
