Naga Chaitanya on Learning Srikakulam Slang, Working With Sai Pallavi in Thandel

Naga Chaitanya’s Thandel promises to be his most ambitious project yet. Based on a real-life incident, the film revolves around the story of Raju, a young fisherman from Srikakulam, who finds himself caught up in a web of love, loss, and survival. Chaitanya prepares for the film’s release, he sat down with the media to talk about his journey into the heart of Thandel.

Naga Chaitanya talks about his latest film, Thandel, with apt enthusiasm. It seems the film has really been a labour of love for the actor, who has spent considerable months researching and preparing to play Raju.

“I was very excited about this project from the moment I heard the story,” Chaitanya recalls, adding, “I knew it was going to be a challenging role, but I was drawn to the complexity and depth of Raju’s character.”

Chaitanya’s transformation as Raju has been phenomenal indeed! He had put in eight long months into fine-tuning Srikakulam slang as well as absorbing the dialect, and his outer self too did a metamorphosis by shifting from his air-conditioned cool urban personality into the rough-worn appearance of a fisherman.

“I wanted to get into the skin of Raju, to understand his thoughts, feelings, and emotions,” Chaitanya explains. “I spent a lot of time with the real-life fishermen, listening to their stories, and learning about their struggles and triumphs.”

Thandel is a love story at its core, but it’s also a film about survival, resilience, and the human spirit. Chaitanya’s performance is deeply nuanced, conveying the emotional depth and complexity of Raju’s character.

“This love story of Thandel is pure and honest,” says Chaitanya. “It is the story of two people who find each other in adversity, and how love becomes a source of strength and inspiration to them.”

Chaitanya says that the experience was particularly enjoyable because he got to work with director Chandoo Mondeti. “Thandel marks our third collaboration with Chandoo. He’s not only a talented director but also a well-wisher who genuinely wants the best for me. I enjoy travelling with him, and he often offers valuable advice on my career choices. When I first narrated the script to him, Chandoo provided insightful inputs that helped shape the film’s commercial appeal. He invested tremendous effort into translating the story into a commercially viable language, which convinced me that we had a winning formula. That’s why I told Vasu that I was on board with the project only if Chandoo was at the helm.”

The actor says he loves working with Sai Pallavi as she brings a lot of positive energy and also gets into the depth of character. “When you have a co-star like her, your performance would improve too,” he says. The music in the movie, especially the song “Namo Namah Shivaya,” has been greatly appreciated. Chaitanya recalls the experience of shooting the song as one of the film’s highlights. “Dancing alongside Sai Pallavi was a challenge, but it was also a lot of fun. The song is a beautiful tribute to the love story of Shiva and Parvati,” he says.

As Thandel is about to hit the screens, Chaitanya feels a mix of emotions—excitement, nervousness, and anticipation. “I am confident that the audience will connect with the story and the characters,” he says, adding, “I am proud of the work we have done, and I am excited to share it with the world.”