Naga Chaitanya’s ‘Thandel’ Revitalizes Akkineni Legacy

After a series of setbacks, Naga Chaitanya’s compelling performance in ‘Thandel’ earns widespread acclaim, bringing pride to the Akkineni family.

The Akkineni family, a stalwart in Telugu cinema, has faced a challenging period in recent years, with Nagarjuna, Naga Chaitanya, and Akhil experiencing notable box office disappointments. Fans remained patient, hopeful for a resurgence. Their optimism was rewarded with the release of ‘Thandel’ on February 7, 2025.

Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, ‘Thandel’ is a romantic action thriller inspired by a real-life 2018 incident where a fisherman from Srikakulam was captured by Pakistani forces in international waters. Naga Chaitanya portrays Raju, the fisherman, delivering a performance that has garnered widespread praise.

At the film’s success meet, Nagarjuna, attending as a special guest, expressed deep emotion and gratitude. He thanked producer Allu Aravind for entrusting Naga Chaitanya with the role and lauded his son’s outstanding performance. “This is the beginning for 2025. Thank you, Akkineni fans, for your patience and support during tough times. Allu Aravind garu, thank you for giving ‘Thandel’. I am a proud father now. Everyone is praising Chaitanya’s performance during the climax, but he lived up to expectations throughout the film,” Nagarjuna remarked.

Producer Allu Aravind also acknowledged the presence of Sobhita Dhulipala, who attended the event alongside her husband, Naga Chaitanya, marking their first public appearance together since their wedding on December 4, 2024.

Notably, the film’s leading lady, Sai Pallavi, was absent from the success meet for undisclosed reasons.

‘Thandel’ has not only rejuvenated Naga Chaitanya’s career but also brought renewed hope and pride to the Akkineni family, signaling a promising start to 2025.