As the Telugu film Thandel, featuring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, approaches its release date of February 7, the actors, accompanied by esteemed producer Allu Arvind, have arrived in Chennai for promotional activities. Notably, this marks the third collaboration between Naga Chaitanya, affectionately known as Chay, and director Chandoo Modeti, following their successful ventures with Premam and Savyasachi.

Thandel represents a significant departure from the previous works of both Chandoo and Chay, generating considerable anticipation among audiences. The film is touted to be Chaitanya's most ambitious project to date, produced by Arvind’s Geetha Arts with a substantial budget of ₹80 crore. In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Chaitanya expressed his enthusiasm for the rare opportunity to work on a film like Thandel, which brings a compelling real-life narrative to the cinematic landscape.

The storyline is inspired by the true experiences of fishermen from Srikakulam who travel to Gujarat to charter ships for fishing activities off the coast of Pakistan. The film also addresses the plight of some fishermen who were detained and imprisoned in Pakistan, while intertwining a central love story between Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. Principal photography for the film has taken place in Visakhapatnam (Vizag), Srikakulam, and Udupi, with Tamil actor Karunakaran cast in the role of the 'second hero,' as noted by producer Aravind.

Naga Chaitanya on married life

Chay and Sobhita Dhulipala exchanged vows on December 4, 2024, and their busy shooting schedules, as evident from social media, reflect their commitment to their careers. When asked about his experience of married life, Chay responded with a smile, stating, “Married life is wonderful! I am thoroughly enjoying it. It has only been a few months, but we both make a concerted effort to balance our professional and personal lives, which has allowed us to maintain a healthy work-life equilibrium. This shared value is something that initially drew us to each other.”

In addition to their successful acting careers, do Sobhita and Chay share other commonalities? “Indeed, we both hail from Andhra. She is from Vizag, a place I hold dear. Although we come from different cities, our cultural backgrounds are quite similar, fostering a strong connection. Furthermore, we both share a profound passion for cinema and the arts. Our curiosity about life has sparked many engaging conversations between us. We also have a mutual love for travel,” Chay elaborated.

On larger-than-life films

With the release of films such as Pushpa and Salaar in the Telugu film industry, one might wonder if Chay is interested in participating in similarly grand productions. He responded, “I believe Thandel serves as a partial answer to that question. I am optimistic that after viewing Thandel on February 7th, you will experience a different essence and depth compared to what I have previously showcased. I trust that you will find clarity regarding your inquiry on that date,” stated the actor known for his role in Manam.

Chay also mentioned that he has declined scripts in the past, emphasizing the importance of saying no when one is not fully convinced by the material. Regarding the concept of success, he remarked, “I don’t think it is wise to take success or failure too seriously. One should simply experience it, reflect on what was effective or ineffective, and continue to progress. Each Friday presents a new opportunity for learning.”

Considering that both Chaitanya and Sobhita are actors within the Telugu film industry, is there a possibility of them collaborating on a project? Chay smiled and concluded, “I cannot say for certain. If a suitable script presents itself, we would certainly consider it!”

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