February 7, 2025: Thandel Review: At its heart, Thandel is a tale of love that stretches across distances, both literal and emotional. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, the film paints a delicate portrait of a romance that blossoms in the most unlikely of places — amidst the turbulent waters of a fisherfolk village and the complexities of international tensions.
With strong performances by Sai Pallavi as Sathya and Naga Chaitanya as Raju, Thandel excels in capturing the essence of deep affection, yet falters when it ventures beyond its romantic core into political drama.
The story follows the lives of the fishermen of Srikakulam, who spend long months in the Gujarat waters, separated from their families. Raju, a fisherman who becomes the leader (Thandel) of the hamlet, and Sathya, his supportive yet emotionally torn partner, face the unique challenges that come with this lifestyle.
While Raju is away, Sathya does everything to keep their bond intact, showcasing her love in simple, yet profound moments, like the way she looks at him — a mix of reverence, longing, and understanding. These intimate portrayals of their relationship provide a captivating watch and make the love story quite compelling.
However, where Thandel struggles is when the narrative shifts from a poignant romance to a political thriller. The film turns its focus to a real-life incident involving the imprisonment of 22 Indian fishermen in a Pakistani jail, a plot that feels disconnected from the movie’s initial charm. This shift in focus comes across as jarring, and instead of deepening the emotional stakes, it dilutes the impact of the main romance.
Thandel Review: When Romance Meets Real-Life Tragedy, but Misses the Point
The shift from tender, character-driven storytelling to a heroism-driven narrative feels like an abrupt detour, which hampers the film’s pacing.
Despite the initial emotional depth, Thandel’s attempt to bring attention to the struggle of the fishermen in the Pakistani prison falls flat. There’s little to no exploration of the psychological toll this situation has on the individuals trapped in this international dispute. While the story could have delved deeper into their collective suffering, it instead takes a more heroic angle with Raju’s actions overshadowing the true gravity of the prisoners’ ordeal.
The film also features some secondary characters, like Karunakaran’s role as a sidekick to Sathya, but they lack sufficient development. While Karunakaran’s comedic moments provide some levity, his role never really evolves, and his relationship with Sathya doesn’t have the emotional weight it could have. Similarly, Divya Pillai’s character, who plays Sathya’s friend, remains underutilized, with her own story arc taking a backseat to the central love story.
Thandel Review: Visuals are stunning
The film’s visuals, under the guidance of Shamdat, are stunning. The vast expanse of the sea, the isolation of the fishermen, and even the starkness of the Pakistani prison are captured beautifully, lending a cinematic richness to the storytelling. But even more impressive is Devi Sri Prasad’s music. His compositions — particularly the recurring Bujji Thalli song — elevate the emotional experience, often making up for the film’s narrative shortcomings. The score’s heartfelt melodies manage to tug at the viewer’s emotions, making each scene feel like an intricate dance between love and longing.
While the romantic chemistry between Sathya and Raju is undeniably strong, the film’s exploration of love could have been more expansive. Thandel presents an emotionally satisfying romance but feels lacking when it attempts to tackle larger, more dramatic themes. The film could have given more room for the individual stories of the 22 fishermen to unfold, creating a stronger connection between the viewer and the true conflict at hand.
Thandel Review Final Verdict: Thandel succeeds as a tender, heartwarming love story but stumbles when it ventures beyond its central relationship to explore broader socio-political issues. It offers a beautiful portrayal of love that transcends time and space but falls short of fully delivering on its dramatic potential.