Why Thandel Flopped in the U.S. – The Real Reasons Behind Its Box Office Failure

Naga Chaitanya and Chandoo Mondeti’s much-hyped film Thandel has completed its opening weekend, and the commercial verdict is now clear—it has flopped in the U.S. Despite critical responses emerging right after the first show, its box office performance tells a different story.

In North America (U.S. and Canada), Thandel has grossed only $813K, falling significantly short of its $1.3 million breakeven mark. With the extended holiday weekend (Presidents’ Day) now over, the film’s run in the U.S. is effectively done. Surprisingly, it failed to even cross the $1 million mark—a benchmark that most Telugu films with a well-known cast typically achieve with ease.

Before its release, there was considerable buzz around Thandel, particularly due to Sai Pallavi’s star power and her chemistry with Naga Chaitanya. However, the film’s theatrical trailer turned out to be a major misfire, failing to build anticipation. Instead of amplifying the hype, it dampened excitement, leading to weak pre-sales in the U.S. and low advance bookings—a critical misstep.

Once in theaters, the film’s second half, centered around a patriotic angle, failed to strike a chord with audiences. A weak or underwhelming second half rarely generates strong word-of-mouth, especially without a massive star pull or a seasonal advantage. If this narrative approach was Chandoo Mondeti’s creative choice, the responsibility for its impact rests with him.

On the promotional front, producer Bunny Vasu put in significant effort to boost Thandel‘s commercial prospects, particularly in the Telugu states. His push helped sustain initial momentum over the first weekend, but beyond that, the film’s content did not hold up. Without strong storytelling and engaging execution, even the best promotions can only do so much.

A film like Thandel concluding its full U.S. run below $850K leaves little room for debate—its box office performance fell far short of expectations.