Thamma delivers a fresh twist to Indian horror-comedy. This Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) entry mixes romance, scares, and humor. Ayushmann Khurrana shines as a reluctant hero. Rashmika Mandanna adds fire. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, it keeps the franchise alive.
1. Movie Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Movie Title | Thamma |
| Release Date | October 21, 2025 |
| Language & Genre | Hindi (Telugu dub); Romantic Comedy Horror |
| Director | Aditya Sarpotdar |
| Producer | Dinesh Vijan, Amar Kaushik |
| Production House | Maddock Films |
| Running Time | 149 minutes (2h 29m) |
| Budget & Box Office | Budget: ₹145 Cr; Box Office: ₹142 Cr+ (India net, as of late Oct) |
2. Cast and Crew
- Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok Goyal: The everyman journalist turned reluctant betal. His comic timing steals scenes.
- Rashmika Mandanna as Tadaka (aka Tarika): The fierce vampire princess. Her intense eyes and action shine bright.
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Yakshasan/Thamma: The menacing tribe leader. A standout performance full of menace and mystery.
- Paresh Rawal as Janardhan “Jana”: Alok’s quirky father. Delivers solid laughs.
- Cameos: Varun Dhawan reprises Bhediya role. Special songs feature Malaika Arora and Nora Fatehi.
- Debut/Highlights: Nawazuddin’s chilling yet fun antagonist steals the show. Rashmika’s meatiest role yet.
3. Storyline / Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Alok Goyal, a skeptical TV reporter, faces a deadly bear attack during a trek. A mysterious woman named Tadaka saves him. Their instant spark ignites a forbidden romance. But Tadaka belongs to an ancient betal tribe—vampire-like creatures ruled by the ruthless Yakshasan. Alok must fight supernatural forces, family bonds, and his own dark urges. The core theme? Love defies bloodlines and destiny. Expect thrills, laughs, and heart in this MHCU tale.
4. Direction, Screenplay, and Editing
Aditya Sarpotdar crafts a bold vision. He weaves Indian folklore with modern romance seamlessly. Screenplay by Niren Bhatt and team packs twists and MHCU nods. Pacing drags in the first half with setup. Second half races with action. Dialogues crackle with wit. Editing keeps jumpscares punchy. Unique technique: Flashbacks blend myth and present smoothly.
5. Cinematography, Visuals, and Music
Stunning camera work captures misty Ooty forests and Delhi streets. VFX elevates betal transformations—slick and scary. No cheap CGI here. Sachin-Jigar’s score pulses with tension. Songs like “Poison Baby” and “Tum Mere Na Huye” are catchy hooks. Music amps romance and horror perfectly. Visuals immerse you in a mythical world.
6. Performances
Ayushmann nails the shift from goofy to heroic. His chemistry with Rashmika sparks—playful yet passionate. Rashmika evolves beyond glamour; her vulnerability shines. Nawazuddin dominates as Thamma—eerie laughs and fierce glares. Paresh Rawal adds family warmth. Supporting cast gels well. Emotional peaks hit hard in confrontation scenes. Crowd roars for Nawaz’s monologues.
7. Audience and Critics’ Response
| Platform | Rating |
|---|---|
| IMDb | 6.5/10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes | Critics: 40% Audience: 75% |
| Google Users | 82% liked it |
Critics praise visuals and performances but note uneven tone. Audiences love the fun scares. Social media buzzes. Forums like Movierulz users actively discuss the betal lore, twists, and Nawaz’s epic role.
8. Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
- Nawazuddin’s powerhouse performance—chills and chuckles.
- Top-notch VFX and world-building—MHCU at its visual best.
- Entertaining genre mash-up—romance bites back.
Weaknesses:
- First-half pacing feels slow.
- Some comedy bits feel forced.
9. Final Verdict
Thamma bites with style. It expands MHCU smartly while standing alone. Perfect for horror-comedy fans, romance lovers, and franchise followers. Skip if you hate slow builds. Personal Rating: 7.5/10