- By Srishti Pandey
- Sun, 02 Feb 2025 07:10 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi are back on screen together after four years in the highly anticipated movie Thandel, releasing on February 7 in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil. The film, centered around a fisherman who is captured by Pakistani coast guards while fishing, features a love story that forms the core of its narrative.
In an interview with News18, Chaitanya opened up about the dynamics of his relationship with Sai Pallavi in the film. He shared how directors often pair them for tragic love stories, but Thandel offers a different approach. While Love Story portrayed a painful romance, Thandel has its share of both happiness and heartbreak. "Love, when real and genuine, goes through many cycles of joy and pain. Those cycles make love healthy," says Chaitanya, highlighting how their on-screen relationship mirrors these complexities.
Despite the ups and downs in the storyline, Chaitanya emphasized the importance of showing all aspects of love—both the painful and the joyful. "We want the audience to relate to the relationship. Love is not just tragedy; it’s about happiness too," he added.
While discussing his evolving comfort level with dancing alongside Sai Pallavi, Chaitanya admitted that he was once nervous to perform with her. Known for her effortless dancing skills in tracks like Saranga Dariya and Rowdy Baby, Sai Pallavi has earned the admiration of fans for her fluid moves, despite not being formally trained in dance. Chaitanya recalled how he was nervous during Love Story, but for Thandel, he felt much more confident. "With Sai, the nervousness has reduced. She's such a fantastic dancer, and she pushes me to be better," he shared.
One key moment in the film is a Mahashivratri dance sequence where Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi portray Lord Shiv and Parvati. Chaitanya credited Sai for helping him with complex dance steps. "She makes it easier for me by breaking down the complicated moves," he said, adding that her support on set made the process much smoother.
Apart from his on-screen romance, Chaitanya also reflected on his character's transformation in Thandel. He described the role as one of the most challenging he's ever taken on, sharing how he traveled to Srikakulam to meet the families of fishermen and gain an understanding of their hardships. "It was a reality check for me. Seeing their lives and struggles opened my eyes to how different life can be, and it truly influenced me," he said.