Chennai: Bunny Vas, the producer of the newly released film Thandel, has demanded strict action after a pirated version of the movie was reportedly played on an Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus. The movie directed by Chandoo Mondeti features actors Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi in the lead role.

Producer Bunny Vas took to Twitter on Monday to express his outrage, stating, “We have come to know from @Way2NewsTelugu that an @apsrtc bus (Service No: 3066) played a pirated version of our #Thandel.. This is not only illegal and outrageous but also a blatant insult to the countless individuals who worked tirelessly to bring this film to life. The movie is the dream of artists, the director, and the producers. I urge APSRTC Chairman #KonakallaNarayanaRao Garu to take strict action and set a strong example to ensure that such incidents never happen again.”

The film, which was released on February 7, has received a strong opening and positive reviews. Thandel is based on a true and emotional story involving 20 Indian fishermen from Andhra Pradesh who were captured by Pakistan authorities and imprisoned.

The movie’s premise has caught widespread attention, with Allu Aravind, a prominent producer, shedding light on the real-life story behind the film. At a promotional event, he shared, “This true story happened in (a place) nearby Vizag, in a small village. People had gone to Gujarat for fishing for 30 days. Unfortunately, due to some weather problem, they crossed the international borders and suddenly they realised that Pakistan people had caught them and taken them to jail. Their families in the village -- how they suffered, how they rose to bring them back, and what their struggle was -- this is the story of the film.”

National Award-winning composer Devi Sri Prasad has scored the music for Thandel, which has cinematography by Shamdat.

National Award-winning Naveen Nooli is the editor, and Srinagendra Tangala has led the art department of the film unit. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, 'Thandel' was produced by Bunny Vasu under the banner of Geetha Arts, with Allu Aravind presenting it. 
IANS