When Dinesh Vijan delivers a horror-comedy, you know it’s going to be a wild ride. Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, hit theatres this Diwali 2025, and it’s anything but your usual ghost story. Spooky, smart, and packed with laugh-out-loud moments, it firmly cements Maddock’s horror-comedy universe as Bollywood’s most entertaining playground. Here’s our Thamma movie review — honest, spoiler-free, and straight from the heart.
Director Aditya Sarpotdar (Munjya) swaps Western vampire clichés for the ancient Indian Betaal myth, giving the film a unique cultural flavor. With Ayushmann’s quirky charm, Rashmika’s energy, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s powerhouse presence, the film juggles horror, comedy, and a passionate, star-crossed romance with style.
Movie Details
| Release Date | 21 October, 2025 |
| Our Rating | ⭐⭐⭐(3/5 stars) |
| Genre | Comedy | Romance |
| Cast | Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal and more. |
| Director | Aditya Sarpotdar |
| Writer | Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Fulara |
| Duration | 2 hours 29 minutes |
Keep reading this Thamma movie review to see if this ambitious blend truly hits the mark or just leaves a scratch.
Plot Review: A Blood-Soaked Love Story with Indian Roots
Thamma centers around Alok Goyal (Ayushmann Khurrana), a mild-mannered journalist who, in a quest for a real paranormal scoop in the mountains, stumbles into a world of Betaals—ancient, vampire-like creatures who must abstain from human blood. He is rescued by the mysterious, fierce, yet innocent Betaal, Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna).
Their burgeoning romance is the heart of the film, but this forbidden love soon pits them against the formidable, ancient rogue Betaal king, Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). The plot expertly weaves in Indian folklore, especially the Betaal mythology, and connects it to the larger MHCU with thrilling cameos (yes, Varun Dhawan‘s Bhediya makes an appearance!).
The first half, as noted in this Thamma Movie Review, is primarily a slow, setup-heavy romantic comedy, focusing on Alok and Tadaka’s cultural clashes and chemistry. While some viewers may find the pace a bit glacial, it sets the stage for a much stronger, twist-filled, and action-packed second half. Ultimately, the biggest takeaway from the plot in this Thamma Movie Review is that the film’s strength lies in its emotional core—a sacrificial love story that defies immortality—even if the horror elements themselves are more spooky than genuinely terrifying.
Performances that Bite
Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok Goyal: Ayushmann delivers a sincere, well-balanced performance, successfully navigating the blend of meekness, confusion, and eventually, newfound power. While it may not be the ‘career-best’ critics called for, he is in top form, especially in the comedic moments with Paresh Rawal.
Rashmika Mandanna as Tadaka/Tarika: Rashmika is the surprise standout. As the innocent yet fierce Betaal, she is both captivating and convincing. Her action sequences are impressive, and she brings a powerful emotional depth to the star-crossed lover role, often outshining her male lead.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Yakshasan: Despite his immense acting potential, the role of the main antagonist, Yakshasan, is unfortunately underwhelming. Nawaz brings his characteristic flash and flair, but the villain is scripted as a loud caricature, making him the weakest villain in the MHCU to date.
Supporting Cast: Paresh Rawal (as Alok’s father) provides consistent, much-needed comic relief with his impeccable timing. The ensemble, including Faisal Malik, is solid, helping to ground the supernatural chaos in a relatable family dynamic.
Ayushmann Khurrana once again proves why he’s Bollywood’s “genre chameleon.” His deadpan humor and emotional beats work even in a supernatural setup. Rashmika Mandanna’s Tadaka isn’t just a love interest—she brings depth, mystery, and plenty of attitude.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is delightfully eerie as Yakshasan, balancing menace with absurd humor. Paresh Rawal, playing Alok’s eccentric father, steals every scene he’s in—especially during family chaos moments.
The film’s success hinges entirely on the shoulders of its talented ensemble cast.
Direction & Storytelling
Director Aditya Sarpotdar (of Munjya fame) blends horror and humor seamlessly. Instead of jump scares, he relies on tension built through Indian myth, culture, and everyday absurdities. The screenplay, written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Fulara, maintains a cheeky yet emotionally grounded tone.
Cinematography captures small-town India with rich color palettes, contrasting eerie night scenes, and vibrant festival backdrops.
Soundtrack & Vibe
The Thamma soundtrack, composed by Sachin–Jigar with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya, carries that signature Maddock energy — spooky, witty, yet heartfully Indian.
Unlike most horror-comedies that lean fully on background score for jumps, Thamma uses its songs to build mood. Each track connects to a moment in Alok’s strange transformation — from confusion to chaos to full Vetala awakening.
The album features four major singles that dropped before the film’s release:
- “Tum Mere Na Huye” (Sept 29 2025) – a slow-burn romantic number that shows Alok and Tadaka’s awkward chemistry before the chaos begins.
- “Dilbar Ki Aankhon Ka” (Oct 7 2025) – the kind of playful track that instantly gets stuck in your head; think early Ayushmann charm but darker.
- “Rahein Na Rahein Hum” (Oct 10 2025) – an emotional pivot, where Alok begins to accept his new reality.
- “Poison Baby” (Oct 13 2025) – the sassiest one of the lot; an energetic number that perfectly captures the film’s comic-horror tone.
Together, the album walks the fine line between quirky and cinematic — a Sachin–Jigar specialty — and it adds to the Diwali vibe that Thamma is riding high on.
Theatrical release
21 October 2025 (Diwali week): Thamma will stream on Amazon Prime Video after its theatrical run, with the OTT premiere expected around December 2025.
Expected OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Expected Streaming Window: Around mid–December 2025 (6–8 weeks post theatrical run)
Status: Official rights confirmed; streaming date yet to be announced.
Thamma Box Office Collection & Prediction (Current Status – Diwali 2025)
Released on the prime Diwali 2025 festive window, Thamma faced an unexpected clash with the romantic drama Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. While Thamma secured the lion’s share of screens due to its franchise appeal and higher star power, the box office witnessed a two-way competition.
With Diwali holidays in full swing and the family audience onboard, industry trackers predict Thamma could cross the ₹70–80 crore mark in its first week, putting it right behind Stree 2 as one of Maddock’s top openers.
| Key Metric | Status/Prediction | Notes |
| Opening Day Collection | ₹18-20 Crore (Net India) | Initial pre-release hype was modest, but the festive boost and positive word-of-mouth are expected to push figures. |
| Total Screens | Approx. 4,000+ (All India) | A wide release indicates high producer confidence. |
| Audience Reception | Positive to Mixed (3.5/5 Average) | Word-of-mouth is strong from early audiences, calling it a ‘Total Entertainer’ and ‘Perfect Diwali Watch’. |
| Budget | Approx. ₹145 Crore | Reported to be the most expensive film in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). |
Box Office Verdict: While official figures are still being updated, Thamma opened to packed shows across metros and Tier-2 cities, taking a strong lead. Early trade reports indicate a strong Day 1 performance, with positive word-of-mouth boosting occupancy for evening shows. With Diwali holidays in full swing and the family audience onboard, industry trackers predict Thamma could cross the ₹70–80 crore mark in its first week, putting it right behind Stree 2 as one of Maddock’s top openers. The surprise decent opening of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is also expected to benefit from the festive period, but it will not pose a major threat to Thamma’s overall dominance.
What Works
- Ayushmann-Rashmika chemistry feels fresh
- Smart writing that uses Indian folklore instead of Hollywood clichés
- Fun scares, not cheap jumps
- Stellar cameos connecting the Maddock Universe
What Doesn’t
- The mythology could’ve been explained better for casual viewers
- Slight drag in the second half
- Some humor gets repetitive
Verdict: Thamma Is a Spooky-Fun Diwali Hit
Between the laughs, the scares, and the cultural flavor, Thamma is just the kind of festive entertainer you want this Diwali. It’s not trying to be groundbreaking, but it hits the sweet spot for family audiences—fun, slightly spooky, and surprisingly heartfelt.
Ayushmann Khurrana delivers another quirky performance, Rashmika Mandanna lights up the screen, and the Maddock universe keeps getting bigger (and yes, bloodier). Overall, this Thamma movie review shows it’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll enjoy without overthinking.
FAQs
A: No. Thamma is an original Hindi film and the fifth installment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), following films like Stree and Bhediya.
A: No. As clarified by Ayushmann Khurrana, the film is based on the concept of ‘Betaals’ (evil spirits from Indian folklore, also known as ‘Vetala’), not the Western concept of vampires. The filmmakers call the phenomenon ‘Betaalism’.
A: Yes! Thamma features exciting cameos, most notably Varun Dhawan reprising his role as Bhaskar/Bhediya, which officially expands the MHCU narrative.
A: Trade analysts have predicted a Day 1 opening collection for Thamma to be around ₹18-20 crore (Net India), capitalizing on the auspicious Diwali release window.
A: Thamma is directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, who previously directed another successful MHCU film, Munjya.
A: A journalist who turns into a Vetala gets caught in a supernatural war between good and rogue Vetalas.
A: Yes! It connects to Stree, Roohi, Bhediya, and Munjya with subtle references.
A: Currently in theatres; expected OTT release early 2026.
