Thandel, starring Naga Chaitanya, is hitting the big screens this Friday amidst good buzz. The movie, directed by Chandoo Mondeti, features Sai Pallavi as the female lead. Set in Srikakulam, it is a romantic action drama based on real-life incidents. Bunny Vas produced the film, and Allu Aravind presented it. Ahead of the release, Naga Chaitanya interacted with the media and here is the transcript.
There are massive expectations among the audience for Thandel. How excited are you?
Thandel is the costliest film in my career. Whether it’s the story or the character, the span is huge, and I am very excited about its release. We already watched the movie and are highly confident in its success. Those who watched the film gave unanimous reviews for the second half. I also felt an emotional high, and the last thirty minutes were very satisfactory.
Do you believe you will reach the next level as an actor with Thandel?
Every actor wants to improve with each of their films. As Thandel is based on a real-life incident, I got the required motivation. I genuinely believed I could reach the next level as an actor with Thandel. We spent almost eight months on the script and character transformation. I learned Srikakulam slang with the help of tutors, and it was very challenging for me.
How did you feel doing a film which is both a love story and a survival drama?
It’s definitely very challenging. Thandel is a mix of love story and mass elements. It was an inspiring journey for me. Every honest love story involves pain, and we presented this aspect in a touching manner through Thandel. The emotional high that you will get in Thandel will be unique. As an actor, this film gave me the utmost satisfaction.
Films like Thandel have more chances to win awards. What do you say about this?
I didn’t think about the awards. Allu Aravind Garu told me he would send Thandel to the National Awards after its release. For me, the most important thing is entertaining the audience. I share a good bond with Aravind Garu. Bunny Vas, Aravind Garu, and I have been traveling together for a long time.
Could you tell us about the much-hyped Shiva song?
I really worked hard to match Sai Pallavi’s dance, but we enjoyed the process. The song is based on Lord Shiva and Parvathi’s love story. Chandoo Mondeti designed our roles, taking inspiration from Lord Shiva and Parvathi Devi. The song is very significant in the film. Sai Pallavi is a fantastic actress, and she helps her co-stars enhance their performances.
How was it working with Devi Sri Prasad?
The Bujji Thalli song helped our film reach the ground level. Every song has become a chartbuster. It is always a pleasure to work with Devi Sri Prasad. Every film I did with him has an excellent album.