What happens when a film finds its perfect audience? Thandel, starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, has created television magic with an impressive 10.32 TRP rating during its world premiere on ZEE Telugu. This remarkable achievement proves that sometimes the small screen can resurrect what the big screen couldn’t fully capture.
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Thandel Television Triumph
Released in theaters on February 7, 2025, Thandel faced mixed box office results. However, its television debut tells a completely different story. The film stands as the top 3 highest-rated Telugu television premiere this year, behind only Sankranthiki Vasthunam and Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Breaking Down Thandel’s Success
| Platform | Performance | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Television TRP | 10.32 Rating | 3rd highest Telugu film TRP in 2025 |
| Premiere Date | June 29, 2025 | ZEE Telugu at 6 PM |
| Box Office | ₹100+ Crores | Worldwide collection |
| OTT Platform | Netflix | Streaming since March 7, 2025 |
Why Thandel Resonated on Television
The romantic action-thriller, directed by Chandoo Mondeti, found its perfect audience through television. The film’s emotional core was highlighted in ZEE Telugu’s promo: “A love that crossed oceans… A story that stood strong against the tides”.
Several factors contributed to this television success:
Strong Emotional Content: The film’s love story between Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi resonated deeply with home viewers who could appreciate the emotional nuances.
Perfect Timing: At a time when the performance of films on small screens has dropped significantly, Thandel created ripples, proving that quality content finds its audience regardless of platform.
Family Viewing: Television audiences often prefer emotional dramas, and Thandel’s romantic elements paired with action sequences created the perfect family entertainment package.
The Star Power Factor
Naga Chaitanya’s charm combined with Sai Pallavi’s stellar performance created magic on screen. The film made Naga Chaitanya the first Akkineni actor to make Rs 100 Crore at the box office, and its television success further cements his growing popularity.
The supporting cast including Divya Pillai, Prakash Raj, and Aadukalam Naren added depth to the narrative, making it a complete entertainment package for television viewers.
Multi-Platform Success Strategy
Thandel’s journey from theaters to television showcases modern entertainment consumption patterns. The satellite rights were acquired by Zee Telugu, while the post-theatrical streaming rights were acquired by Netflix for ₹40–45 crore.
This strategic release pattern allowed the film to:
- Maximize revenue across platforms
- Reach different audience segments
- Build sustained popularity over time
What This Means for Telugu Cinema
Something magical has happened with Thandel’s small-screen premiere, proving that television remains a crucial platform for content discovery and audience engagement in the Telugu film industry.
The success indicates that audiences are willing to embrace good content, regardless of initial box office performance. This opens new possibilities for filmmakers to create content that can find success across multiple platforms.
For more insights into Telugu cinema trends and box office analysis, check out our entertainment section and movie reviews.
The film’s pan-India appeal was also evident when it premiered on Sony MAX for Hindi audiences, further expanding its reach and proving the universal appeal of well-crafted romantic action dramas.
Stay updated with the latest entertainment news and TRP ratings by following our latest updates and Telugu cinema coverage.
FAQs
Q: What TRP rating did Thandel achieve on its television premiere?
A: Thandel achieved an impressive 10.32 TRP rating during its world television premiere on ZEE Telugu on June 29, 2025. This makes it the third highest-rated Telugu film on television in 2025, behind only Sankranthiki Vasthunam and Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Q: Did Thandel perform well at the box office before its television success?
A: Yes, despite initial mixed reviews, Thandel performed well at the box office, collecting over ₹100 crores worldwide. The film made Naga Chaitanya the first Akkineni actor to achieve this milestone, though it faced some challenges in international markets like North America.
