FACT 01: Tandel: A Daring Escape from Pakistani Waters
‘Tandel‘ is a Gujarati word that means “Leader.” This film is based on events that took place in the village of D. Matsyalesam in the Srikakulam district. Several fishermen who went on a fishing expedition accidentally entered Pakistan’s sea waters while heading toward a port in Gujarat and were arrested. The story revolves around how they managed to escape from captivity. To make the narrative more engaging, the makers have incorporated a fictional love story between Raju and Satya.
FACT 02: Naga Chaitanya & Sai Pallavi: De-Glam Duo
For the first time ever, Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi will be seen in a de-glam look. They reportedly put in a lot of effort for scenes shot in the sea, under the scorching sun, and on the sand. The movie was shot in various outdoor locations, including Mangaluru, Kerala, Vizag, Goa, and Srikakulam. Additionally, the makers built a village set near the Mangaluru sea for the film.
FACT 03: Thandel: Research and Reality
FACT 04: Naga Chaitanya’s Dedication
To play the role of Raju, a fisherman from Srikakulam, Naga Chaitanya spent eight months learning the Srikakulam dialect and interacting with real fishermen to understand their struggles. This is the most expensive film in Naga Chaitanya’s career, reportedly costing around ₹90 crores.
FACT 05: Chaitanya-Mondeti: Back Together
A dance sequence in the film on Lord Shiva, “Namo Namah Shivaya“, was shot with a budget of ₹4 crores where 900 trained dancers worked for the song. This marks the third collaboration between Naga Chaitanya and director Chandoo Mondeti.
