Nagarjuna on Thandel: Naga Chaitanya's performance reminded me of my dad ANR

Thandel is a smash hit at the box office and has entered the safe zone within a week of its release. The makers recently held a special press interaction, where none other than Akkineni Nagarjuna graced the event and spoke from the heart about the film, his son's performance, and its box office success.

Speaking at the event, Nagarjuna praised director Chandoo Mondeti, stating that he has brought out the true acting prowess of Naga Chaitanya in Thandel. He also lauded the way special scenes were written for his son by Chandoo Mondeti. 

Nagarjuna about Naga Chaitanya's performance

"The way Chay performed in the film shocked me completely. Especially the climax portion—to write a scene like that and present it in such a moving manner is remarkable and showcases Chandoo's talent," said Nagarjuna.

The star also applauded Devi Sri Prasad (DSP) for the film's music, stating that his background score was the real hero of the film.

Naga Chaitanya played the role of a fisherman, and his chemistry with Sai Pallavi was electric. "Whatever Sai Pallavi does is just amazing—the way she dances, performs—there is always something special about her in all her films, and in Thandel, she was extraordinary," said Nagarjuna.

However, the biggest compliment of the evening came when Nagarjuna compared his son to his late, legendary father, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR).

Nagarjuna remembers his dad ANR at Thandel event

"There are so many scenes where Chay performed exceptionally well, and many times, my father, ANR, came to my memory. It was such a memorable performance by him at such a young age," he stated.

Thandel has crossed the Rs 50 crore net mark and is set to surpass Rs 100 crore gross by the end of the week. Nagarjuna concluded the event by stating that "this is just the beginning of the Naga Chaitanya era, and the best is yet to come."

Producer Allu Aravind also praised the team, stating that Naga Chaitanya delivered one of his best performances to date. We’ll have to wait and see how much the film continues to rake in at the box office.