This Diwali, Bollywood lovers were in for a spooky-yet-sweet cinematic treat as Thamma—the highly anticipated fifth film in Maddock Films’ Horror-Comedy Universe—finally hit the big screens on October 21, 2025. Following the blockbuster Stree 2 in 2024, this new addition carries forward the franchise’s signature blend of folklore, fun, and fright, this time dipping into the unexplored world of vampires.

Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Thamma stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Paresh Rawal in key roles. With its intriguing premise, star-studded cast, and Maddock’s reputation for delivering unique horror comedies, expectations were sky-high—and after the first-day-first-show, social media was buzzing with reviews, reactions, and box-office predictions.

A Closer Look at ‘Thamma’ – The Story, Team, and Vision

Thamma is a Hindi romantic horror comedy that seamlessly combines supernatural mythology with emotional depth. The film is helmed by Aditya Sarpotdar and written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Falara. The project is produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, with Saurabh Goswami handling the cinematography, Hemanti Sarkar in charge of editing, and Sachin–Jigar composing the foot-tapping yet eerie soundtrack.

At its core, Thamma revolves around a historian who transforms into a vampire and is forced to confront his dark ancestral legacy to prevent a rogue bloodline from wreaking havoc. The film carries Maddock’s signature DNA—an inventive fusion of folklore, fantasy, humor, and heart—but ventures into new mythological territory.

Following the success of Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, and Stree 2, Thamma marks the fifth installment in the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe. Interestingly, this film also marks Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s first on-screen collaboration, a pairing that has been met with immense curiosity and excitement among fans.

#Thamma Movie Review

"Thamma" is an engaging mix of emotion, drama, and unpredictability. The first half focuses on building the story a bit slow at times, but it sets the stage well. The second half, however, really picks up and delivers an impressive payoff.

What truly… pic.twitter.com/3qAbhgsvkG— Cineholic (@Cineholic_india) October 20, 2025

Overseas Reactions: Entertaining, But the Story Could’ve Been Fresher

As the film opened to global audiences, early overseas reviews began pouring in. Fans of Ayushmann Khurrana across the world, eagerly awaiting his return after a two-year hiatus post-Dream Girl 2, expressed delight at seeing him back in form. Viewers praised Thamma for its entertaining mix of humor and horror, though some noted that the storyline lacked freshness.

One overseas reviewer described it as “an interesting horror-comedy drama with enough entertainment value, but familiar tropes.” The viral X (formerly Twitter) post gave Thamma a 3.5-star rating, acknowledging the film’s production quality and performances while noting that many of its elements “have been seen several times in other films.”

Ayushmann Responds to Comparisons with ‘Lokah’

In recent days, Thamma has faced frequent comparisons with Lokah, a Kalyani Priyadarshan starrer exploring similar mythological tones. Addressing these discussions, Ayushmann Khurrana told Bollywood Bubble,

“I’m a fan of that film. It’s an amazing movie, no doubt. But in the Hindi-speaking market, especially when I was shooting in Allahabad, Lokah wasn’t released there. I had to come to Mumbai to watch it. Thamma, I believe, will reach those audiences. That’s what I meant.”

His clarification highlights not competition, but rather Thamma’s intent to take folklore-based storytelling to a wider audience across linguistic and regional boundaries.

Box Office Buzz: Thamma’s Modest Advance Bookings but Strong Potential

Despite the Diwali timing, Thamma’s pre-release buzz was described as “modest but promising.” Trade experts predicted an opening day collection of ₹18–20 crore, with the film expected to pick up steam over the weekend due to strong family appeal and festive sentiment.

According to Sacnilk, by Monday evening, Thamma had sold over 1,45,000 tickets, amassing ₹4.06 crore in advance bookings, with collections likely to cross ₹6 crore by opening day.

Releasing across 4,000 screens nationwide, the film enjoys a solo run this Diwali, with no major Hindi competitors in theatres. While Thamma may not reach the blockbuster openings of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (₹35 crore) or Singham Returns (₹32 crore), experts say anything above ₹20 crore would be a solid start for the Maddock banner’s fifth horror-comedy entry.

A trade analyst told Hindustan Times,

“Given the modest hype, reports of ₹30–32 crore openings seem exaggerated. But Thamma’s strength lies in Ayushmann’s fanbase and Maddock’s proven formula. If word-of-mouth clicks, it could enjoy a long festive run.”

#Thamma Monstrous
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Deserve 4 star

The core is - storyline. 1st half is slow yet deeply connected and will take u back to those dadi ki kahani days. But brace yourself.

2nd half hits hard with spine chilling twists, unexpected turns and a mind-blowing cameo action entry— The Truth Lobby (@thetruthlobby) October 20, 2025

The Vision: Mythology Meets Modern Entertainment

Producer Dinesh Vijan, speaking about the concept, said while he hadn’t watched Lokah, he was aware of its acclaim. He emphasized that Thamma stands apart because it is deeply rooted in Indian mythology yet accessible to modern viewers. The film dives into vampire lore, an area rarely explored in Hindi cinema, giving audiences something both eerie and entertaining.

Alongside Ayushmann and Rashmika, the ensemble cast includes Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, Sanjay Dutt, Aparshakti Khurana, Aasif Khan, and Sapthami Gowda—each adding distinct texture to the narrative.

Ayushmann Khurrana Calls Thamma “The Biggest Film of My Life”

For Ayushmann Khurrana, Thamma is more than just another release—it’s a milestone. Speaking to Hindustan Times, he expressed deep emotional connection with the project, saying,

“I rely on my gut instinct when choosing films. I ask myself—‘Is this a movie I would want to watch?’ Thamma was a no-brainer. It’s the biggest film of my life, and for the first time, one of my films is releasing on Diwali.”

He also noted that while his previous works leaned toward realism and social satire, Thamma represents an adventurous leap into the supernatural genre.

“It’s a big step forward for Dinesh Vijan’s horror-comedy universe. I’m known for realistic cinema, but this is something larger, more mythic, and magical,” he added.

When asked whether the pressure of expectations makes him nervous, Ayushmann replied,

“When you’re working under someone like Dinesh, you feel safe. He’s a visionary and known for disruption. Thamma carries forward that legacy. I’m proud to be part of the most sought-after cinematic universe in Hindi cinema right now.”

Just Watched #Thamma
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5)
A total entertainer! A blend of humour, horror, emotion, and desi folklore that keeps you hooked till the last frame.#AyushmannKhurrana delivers a career-best act — balancing fear & comedy like a pro.
#RashmikaMandanna shines bright in a… pic.twitter.com/wwJt64B9nN— Ravi Chaudhary (@BURN4DESIRE1) October 20, 2025

Twitter Reactions: A “Perfect Diwali Watch”

The social media verdict is largely glowing. Fans who watched Thamma’s First Day First Show took to X (formerly Twitter) to call it a “perfect Diwali watch”, praising the film’s balance of emotion, drama, and unpredictability.

One user wrote,

“The first half builds up slowly, but the second half rewards you with a gripping, emotional payoff. Rashmika’s performance is natural and heartfelt. Ayushmann is simply outstanding.”

Another called it a “total crowd-pleaser”, highlighting how every actor delivered top-notch performances.

“A high-energy Diwali gift! Watch it with your family for sure,” said one enthusiastic viewer, rating the film 4.5 stars.

The film’s blend of humor, horror, and desi folklore drew comparisons to Stree, though many noted it stands strong on its own. Audiences particularly praised Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s unpredictability, Paresh Rawal’s impeccable comic timing, and the Ayushmann–Rashmika pairing for its charm and chemistry.

Technical Brilliance and Music

Apart from performances, Thamma’s music and background score by Sachin–Jigar have received a positive response. Viewers felt the compositions perfectly complemented the film’s mood—enhancing both tension and laughter. Critics have lauded Aditya Sarpotdar’s direction for maintaining Maddock’s signature equilibrium between fear and fun, making the movie engaging for both young audiences and family viewers.

Movie Review- #Thamma Waowww⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️it's a film that leaves you thoroughly entertained and completely satisfied.
The direction is simply superb, showing a masterful understanding of how to captivate the audience and make the picture look good to everyone.
Every single… pic.twitter.com/Df2SCECYBI— Love.prem98 (@LPrem98) October 18, 2025

Box Office Outlook and Future of Maddock’s Horror-Comedy Universe

With Thamma enjoying an exclusive release window and positive word-of-mouth, trade experts expect collections to rise over the weekend. Even if the opening is moderate, the film’s mass appeal and holiday timing may ensure a steady run.

Given Maddock Films’ expanding horror-comedy universe—from Stree’s ghostly feminism to Bhediya’s werewolf myth and Munjya’s folk-horror vibe—Thamma’s exploration of vampire folklore signals a new creative chapter for the studio. It hints that audiences can expect crossovers, expanded lore, and interconnected storylines in future sequels.

Final Verdict: Ayushmann Shines, Rashmika Charms, Maddock Delivers Again

With Thamma, Ayushmann Khurrana proves once again why he’s one of Bollywood’s most versatile performers, seamlessly oscillating between comedy, fear, and romance. Rashmika Mandanna, on the other hand, brings both warmth and mystery to her role, making their pairing one of the film’s biggest highlights.

While some may argue that the plot occasionally revisits familiar tropes, Thamma still manages to captivate with its strong performances, witty writing, and festive spirit. Backed by solid production values and a heartwarming undercurrent, it’s no surprise that audiences are calling it a “refreshing, feel-good horror comedy”—a perfect cinematic treat for the Diwali season.

Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Genre: Horror Comedy | Runtime: 2h 24m
Director: Aditya Sarpotdar | Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal
Produced by: Dinesh Vijan & Amar Kaushik
Music: Sachin–Jigar

Thamma is a perfect mix of laughter, love, and chills—an entertaining Diwali delight that once again proves Maddock’s horror-comedy universe is here to stay.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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