National award is the highest honour, Karthikeya 2 director Chandoo Mondeti

It’s been two years since the release of the blockbuster Karthikeya 2, and the film’s success continues to be felt. Karthikeya 2 was the only Telugu film to win an award at the 70th National Film Awards. Deccan Chronicle reached out to director Chandoo Mondeti, the man of the hour. He spoke about his plans for Karthikeya 3, and his upcoming film Thandel.

Expressing surprise at the film’s massive success, particularly in non-Telugu markets, Chandoo said. “I was super confident about the film appealing to the Telugu audience. I even had a number in mind in terms of its commercial success. But I didn’t expect it to do so well in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. We dubbed the film ourselves for wider reach via OTT, and it’s been a game-changer. The final numbers were 10X.” The director attributed the film’s success to divine intervention, saying, “It happened by God’s grace." For a Telugu movie to do well in Hindi is unthinkable because several big movies with huge expectations have failed to work its magic in Hindi. But Karthikeya went on to become a sensational hit at the box office pan India. “Barring KGF, Kantara and a few Rajamouli movies, none of the movies really left a mark on the Hindi audience. So we were thrilled that Karthikeya did well.”

But Chandoo feels that getting a national award is the high point. “This is the highest honour—for a Telugu film to bag a national award. And this is the final stroke,” he says.

When asked about plans for Karthikeya 3, the director confirmed that the script is in progress. “It will be bigger and better than the first two films. We are getting offers from various producers, but we will discuss and decide after completing the script.”

Talking about Karthikeya 3, he revealed that the theme will revolve around India’s history and mythology. “I want to tell stories about our ancestors, who were more than just Gods. I believe Lord Sri Krishna, Rama, and Shiva were born here and became gods. This is my intention—to tell our history, not mythology.”

Chandoo’s next film, Thandel, starring Sai Pallavi and Naga Chaitanya, is set for release on December 20. The film is a love story based on real incidents, and the director spent time researching and collecting information from Srikakulam and Machilesam village. “Thandel is a beautiful love story about separation and how far a person can go for their loved one.”

With Karthikeya 2’s National Award win, expectations are high for Karthikeya 3. Chandoo’s commitment to showcasing India’s rich history and culture has fans eagerly anticipating his next project. As for Thandel, audiences can look forward to a poignant love story based on real events.