Thandel Is Not About Indo-Pak Conflict

Ahead of the release of his big-ticket film Thandel, Naga Chaitanya reflects on the homework that the team put into the project, how hearing the real life stories humbled and inspired him, and the essence of every on-screen love story

- BH HARSH

In his 16-year career, Naga Chaitanya has firmly established his image as an urban hero, largely playing city boys and backing romantic dramas and comedies. Which is why Chandoo Mondeti's Thandel, which is based on stories and real-life incidents from the lives of countless coastal Andhra fishermen who were held up as prisoners in Pakistani jails a few years ago, stands as a major landmark in the actor's filmography. Naga Chaitanya will be seen playing a rugged fisherman named Raju in the film. The Premam actor mentions that he had always wanted to do films based on real stories, adding, "We don't get enough real-life stories in Telugu cinema, stories that suit cinematic language. So this was challenging and exciting at once."