Thamma releases in Indian cinemas on 21 October 2025, positioned as a Diwali horror-comedy event and the fifth entry in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. Early critic reactions are broadly positive, citing a slick blend of humor, folklore, and universe-building, with strong leads from Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna.
Release details
- Theatrical release: 21 October 2025 across India, aligned with the festive window and wide screen count for a mass audience push.
- Format availability: Standard formats with premium options referenced across coverage for a festive, big-screen play.
- OTT window: Expected to arrive on Prime Video, with a transactional rental phase around early December followed by subscription streaming mid-December (as per industry trackers).
What is Thamma?
Thamma is a Hindi-language romantic comedy-horror directed by Aditya Sarpotdar (Munjya), written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Fulara, and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik under Maddock Films. It continues the interconnected “Maddock Horror Comedy Universe” lineage after titles like Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya.
Cast and characters
- Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok/Aalok Goyal, a journalist whose life spirals after a supernatural encounter.
- Rashmika Mandanna as Tadaka/Tadka, a vampire-woman whose bond with the protagonist anchors the film’s romance and lore.
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Yakshasan/Yakshashan, the menacing clan leader and central antagonist.
- Paresh Rawal in a pivotal family role, adding texture and humor to the home-front dynamics.
Story and tone
The film follows a journalist who becomes a vampire (vetala) and is thrust into a clandestine conflict led by Yakshashan, blending Indian folklore with rom-com beats and pulpy action set-pieces. The tonal mix aims for laughs, frights, and heartfelt romance, balancing universe crossovers with a self-contained arc.
Direction and craft
Aditya Sarpotdar leans on crisp pacing, creature-world rules, and punchy dialogues, supported by a Sachin–Jigar soundtrack to amplify festive appeal; reviewers note witty lines and smoothly flowing screenplay with a few uneven patches. The runtime hovers around 149–150 minutes, built for a full-fledged theatrical experience.
Universe connections and hype
Media spotlights frame Thamma as the next chapter in Maddock’s horror-comedy universe, with references and cameos fueling buzz; coverage mentions a Varun Dhawan face-off tease extending the Bhediya thread, exciting fans about organic crossovers. Trailer launches featured franchise faces and reinforced the vampire-world hook.
Early reviews and reception
- Critics highlight spirited performances from Ayushmann and Rashmika, a crowd-pleasing horror-comedy mix, and effective mythology integration, landing in the 3.5–4 star range from several outlets.
- Audience chatter is mixed-to-positive in early social buzz, with some finding it below sky-high expectations but acknowledging the festive fun factor.
Box office outlook and rollout
Trade chatter projects a healthy festive opening with nationwide screen breadth; trackers and dailies are set to monitor day-one and weekend numbers amid Diwali footfalls. Expect momentum from family audiences and franchise fans if word-of-mouth sustains through the week.
Should you watch it?
If horror-comedy with Indian folklore, star-led romance, and shared-universe callbacks appeals, Thamma is a festive, big-screen bet that aims for laughs, light chills, and emotional beats—especially for fans of Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya. Early critic notes suggest an entertaining package with some uneven stretches but satisfying payoffs.