The announcement of Thamma starring Ayushmann Khurrana already felt like a pivot: not just another horror-comedy but one that aims to tie myth, romance and mass appeal in one package. In this review we look at what Thamma offers, how it fits into the existing horror-comedy universe, what early reactions suggest, the budget and box office expectations, and how it compares with franchise peer Stree 2. We also cover trailer reactions, CBFC certificate and what audiences should know heading into its Diwali 2025 release.
What is Thamma? Breaking down the basics
Thamma is the next entry in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCUniverse), directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Maddock Films under the banner of Dinesh Vijan & Amar Kaushik.
- Lead cast: Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok, Rashmika Mandanna as Tadaka.
- Supporting cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui (as vampire villain Yakshasan) and Paresh Rawal in key roles.
- Release date: Set for 21 October 2025 (Diwali week) theatrically.
- Genre: Horror-comedy with romance as a central element; in fact director says it is not “just horror-comedy” like earlier entries, but a love story with supernatural backdrop.
Trailer reaction and early buzz
The teaser, released August 19 2025, immediately sparked commentary. One outlet described it as “a bloody love story” promising a new kind of ride for the audience. At the same time, some critics noted a few familiar tropes, with one opining: “Cringe… weird grading… feels like the weakest link” among the universe.
Key take-aways from early reactions:
- Audiences are excited by the pairing of Ayushmann & Rashmika, a fresh lead combination for this scale.
- Nawazuddin’s look as the vampire captured most attention in teaser minutiae.
- Given the Diwali release and the scale, expectations are already high for a “festive blockbuster”.
Budget and box office expectations
Reports indicate that Thamma carries the highest budget so far in the MHCUniverse. One article states that this Ayushmann-Rashmika starrer is “the most expensive film in the horror-comedy universe.”
While the exact number has not been officially confirmed, insiders suggest an ambitious spend designed to match the festive release, A-list cast, visual effects (vampire motif) and mass-market positioning.
Box-office forecasting (based on current trade chatter):
- Holiday release (Diwali) implies higher multiplex occupancy and higher ticket rates.
- Given Ayushmann’s brand + first big scale horror-comedy in this pairing, first weekend numbers could aim for ₹50-70 crore+ domestic. (Speculative)
- Overseas markets and dubbed versions will matter, given the universal vampire theme.
In short: Thamma is positioned as a major tent-pole for the year in its segment. If it delivers on hype and word-of-mouth, it could become a milestone in the genre.
Horror-Comedy Universe: Where Thamma fits in
Understanding Thamma requires awareness of the MHCUniverse. Films like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya and Stree 2 built a template of folklore + horror-comedy + mass entertainment. 17
Thamma is the fifth installment, and introduces vampires distinctly into the universe. 18
To compare:
| Film | Supernatural Element | Genre Note |
|---|---|---|
| Stree | Spirit/witch folklore | Horror-comedy |
| Bhediya | Werewolf myth | Horror-comedy |
| Munjya | Spirit/demon folklore | Horror-comedy |
| Stree 2 | Continuation of Stree mythos | Horror-comedy blockbuster |
| Thamma | Vampire myth + love story | Romance + horror-comedy |
In other words, Thamma attempts to shift the template: less slapstick horror-comedy, more romance-supernatural hybrid. The director himself clarified that this is “not a horror-comedy like Stree or Munjya.”
For fans of the franchise, that shift may feel refreshing yet it introduces risk: the comedic tone and horror thrills must still satisfy the audience's expectations from this universe.
Plot and thematic highlights
While full story details remain under wraps, available info suggests:
- A dual-era narrative: segments set in modern Delhi and the ancient Vijayanagar empire.
- Ayushmann plays Alok a historian drawn into vampire lore; Rashmika plays Tadaka a key female character with full narrative agency.
- Nawazuddin plays Yakshasan, a vampire whose origin forms a core subplot.
- The tag-line in the teaser: “Na darr kabhi itna shaktishaali tha, aur na pyaar kabhi itna bloody!” (Not fear so powerful yet, nor love so bloody) sets the tone.
Theme-wise, the film appears to explore: enduring love across lifetimes, mythological evil (vampire) in Indian folklore lens, and a balance of scares and emotion.
From our experience covering similar genre blends, the challenge is often tone-management: ensuring horror isn’t undermined by too much comedy, and the romance doesn’t dilute the supernatural stakes. Early signs suggest Thamma attempts a carefully calibrated mix.
CBFC certificate and cuts
The certification stage is important given the Diwali release and broad target audience. Here’s what is known:
- Certificate: U/A (16+) awarded by the Central Board of Film Certification ahead of release.
- Cuts/modifications: The board asked for several changes: a kissing scene reduced by ~5 seconds, some dialogue replaced (for example “Azaadi doonga” changed to “Aiyaashi karata hoon”), and some visuals (slurping blood) trimmed.
- Runtime: The certificate lists runtime 149 minutes 59 seconds (≈2h30m).
These give two signals: one, the makers have aligned the film for a festive audience with broader appeal (U/A rather than an adult cert). Two, the film does carry some adult elements (vampirism, blood, intimate moments) but within limits.
For viewers who track censorship patterns, the moderate trimming suggests the makers anticipated this and delivered a commercially robust cut.
Strengths and potential risk areas
Our hands-on reading of the available material suggests this list of strengths and risks:Strengths:
- Star power: Ayushmann brings established credibility; Rashmika adds fresh pairing dynamic.
- Novel mythic hook: Vampire lore (relatively rare in Hindi mainstream) built into an existing successful universe.
- Festive release timing (Diwali) gives the film a strong advantage at box office start.
- Universe backing: MHCUniverse has goodwill from previous hits—this may boost audience trust.
- Tone shift: Moving more into romance may alienate hardcore horror-comedy fans expecting full-on laughs+scares.
- High budget expectations: The biggest spend in the universe means business metrics must deliver accordingly.
- Early criticism of teaser: Some audience voices flagged “weakest link” fears. If word-of-mouth falters, the opening momentum may sag.
In our experience of franchise cinema, audience anticipation can be a double-edged sword—it raises the stakes, but also the bar for satisfaction.
Thamma vs Stree 2 (and the rest)
Given the comparison within the horror-comedy universe, it’s worthwhile to line up Thamma against the benchmark Stree 2:
| Film | Release scale | Genre tone | Key difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stree 2 | High budget, strong box office | Horror-comedy (scares+laughs) | Folklore spirit in small town setting |
| Thamma | Even higher budget (reportedly biggest so far) 29 | Romantic-supernatural + horror-comedy | Vampire myth, dual era narrative, new lead pairing |
In short: While Stree 2 consolidated the universe template, Thamma is attempting to expand it. If successful, it may redefine what the franchise stands for: not only witches/spirts but vampires, love across time, mythic scale.
For fans of the universe, the question will be: does this feel like “the same universe” while offering something fresh? From what we’ve observed, the answer appears optimistic but not assured.
What you should know before you watch
- Release day
- October 21 2025 (Diwali week) across theatrical formats.
- Lead actors
- Ayushmann Khurrana (Alok) & Rashmika Mandanna (Tadaka). Veteran actors Nawazuddin Siddiqui & Paresh Rawal in pivotal roles.
- Certificate
- U/A (16+), runtime approx 149 m.
- Budget
- Reported to be the highest in the horror-comedy universe so far.
- Universe linkage
- This is the 5th film in the MHCUniverse and introduces vampires explicitly.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Thamma releasing?
The film is scheduled for October 21 2025, during Diwali week.
Who are the lead actors in Thamma?
Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna headline the film. Supporting cast includes Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal.
What is the genre of Thamma?
It is positioned as a horror-comedy with a strong romantic core and supernatural myth (vampire). Director says it is not “just horror-comedy”.
What is its connection to the horror-comedy universe?
Thamma is part of the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe (MHCUniverse), and it is the fifth film. It builds on earlier films like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, etc.
What budget and box office expectations does Thamma have?
While official numbers are not confirmed, media reports indicate it is the most expensive film in the universe so far. Box-office expectations are high given Diwali release and star cast.
What certificate did the CBFC grant and were there cuts?
The film was granted a U/A (16+) certificate. The CBFC asked for some modifications: reduction of a kissing scene, dialogue tweaks, visual trims (blood slurping).
How have early viewers and trailer-goers reacted?
The teaser generated strong social media buzz for its vampire visuals and love story setting. Some early critiques flagged a few generic touches.
Conclusion
In sum: Thamma emerges as a noteworthy addition to Bollywood’s horror-comedy catalogue and the MHCUniverse. With a major star pairing, elevated budget, vampiric myth and Diwali timing, it carries commercial promise and creative ambition. For viewers it offers a fresh twist: romance and myth wrapped inside mass-entertainment horror-comedy. The key will be delivery if the tonal balance holds and word-of-mouth catches, Thamma could set a new benchmark. As the months pass and the release approaches, this film is one to watch not just in cinemas but as part of the evolving genre conversation. Get ready: when Ayushmann Khurrana & Rashmika Mandanna step into the shadowy world of Thamma, Bollywood’s horror-comedy map may just shift.
