“Thamma” Movie Review – A Festive Horror-Comedy Ride with Mythology, Romance & Blood
The much-anticipated festival release Thamma (2025) arrives amidst the festive Diwali buzz, high expectations and the growing popularity of the horror-comedy genre in Indian cinema. Backed by Maddock Films and featuring a star cast led by Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, this film attempts to combine mythology, romance, humour and horror in a single bundle. It’s also part of the larger “MHCU” (Maddock Horror Comedy Universe) ecosystem.
In this comprehensive review, we’ll dissect the film’s multiple layers — plot, performances, technical aspects, its strengths and weaknesses — and help you decide whether Thamma is worth your time (and money) this Diwali.
1. What is Thamma about? – Plot overview
Spoiler-free summary
Thamma centres around Alok Goyal (Ayushmann Khurrana), a TV reporter living with his parents. He embarks on a trekking expedition, gets attacked, and is rescued by a mysterious woman — Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna). Soon, Alok is drawn into an under-world of supernatural creatures, a clan of “vetalas/betaals”, led by the ominous Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Things spiral into a clash between love, immortality, folklore and a looming threat of blood-lust and revenge.
The movie is reportedly set across dual timelines (past life + present) and is embedded in Indian folklore rather than typical Western vampire tropes.
Setup & Expectations
- The film starts somewhat conventionally: trekking, rescue, romance.
- Things accelerate once the supernatural dimension kicks in: vetala myths, blood-rites, clan war.
- The tone: horror + comedy + romance — a delicate balance the film aims for.
- Being a Diwali release, expectation for mass appeal, visual spectacle and festival vibe is high.
2. The Good – What works in Thamma
a) Star performances & charisma
- Ayushmann Khurrana anchors the film with his typical ease — moving between vulnerability, humour and intensity. One reviewer calls him “exceptional form”.
- Rashmika Mandanna holds her own with charm, aura and her character’s mystique.
- Paresh Rawal provides emotional grounding, comic timing and that fatherly warmth which suits festival entertainers.
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui, as the antagonist Yakshasan, brings screen presence and menace; though his character may not fully exploit his range, he still adds value.
b) Mythology & folklore twist
One of Thamma’s strengths is that it doesn’t simply import Western-vampire mythology, but roots itself in Indian folklore — vetalas, clans, ancient legends. This adds a refreshing flavour for an audience used to more conventional horror tropes.
c) Visuals, production design & scale
The film appears to embrace festive-scale production: sets, VFX, costumes, a larger canvas feel. According to reviews, it is a “well-packaged entertainer”. The “bloody love story” tagline, the supernatural visuals, the twin-era set-ups all hint at ambition.
d) Blend of genres & festive timing
For a Diwali release, Thamma checks key boxes: romance (for couples), comedy (for families), supernatural thrills (for young crowd), spectacle (for big screen). Some early reactions call it a “crowd-pleaser” for the Diwali outing.
3. The Not-So-Good – Where Thamma falters
a) Pacing & screenplay issues
Multiple reviews point out that the film tends to drag in parts. The — second half suffers dips in pace, and some sub-plots feel under-explored.
Also, the protagonist’s “reporter” identity doesn’t feel fully utilised, and some character motivations are hurried.
b) Horror and comedy mis-balance
While the intention is horror-comedy, many feel the “horror” element is weakened. For instance, one review: “Horror dies, comedy fades in Ayushmann Khurrana’s loud fang-show”.
Some audience comments on Reddit:
“0% scary” Reddit
“Very bad movie – worst in the Maddock horror universe. Baseless, nonsense comedy only good part is Paresh Rawal scenes.” Reddit
In other words: the film may have sacrificed genuine chills for broad comedy (and spectacle). If you expect a spine-chiller, you might be disappointed.
c) Story depth & emotional payoff
Despite the promising premise (immortality, love across time, folklore), the emotional core is described as not fully landing. “The emotions never quite land,” writes one review. The love story is big, but the development of it could have been stronger.
d) Comparisons with earlier franchise entries
Since Thamma is part of the larger franchise (MHCU), expectations are high. Some critics feel it pales in comparison to, say, earlier stronger entries in that universe.
Full Cast & Crew
Here is a detailed list of the full cast & crew for Thamma (2025). Some roles and credits may be partial/unconfirmed because full official listings are not yet publicly comprehensive.
🎬 Key Crew
- Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
- Producers: Dinesh Vijan, Amar Kaushik
- Writers / Story: Niren Bhatt; Suresh Mathew; Arun Falara
- Music: Sachin–Jigar
- Cinematography: Saurabh Goswami
- Editing: Hemanti Sarkar
- Production Company: Maddock Films
- Distributor (India): PVR Inox Pictures; International: Yash Raj Films
👥 Cast – Main & Supporting
Lead Roles:
- Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok Goyal
- Rashmika Mandanna as Tadaka (also referred to as Tarika)
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Yakshasan
- Paresh Rawal as Ram Bajaj Goyal
Other Cast / Supporting Roles:
- Geeta Aggarwal as Sudha Goyal
- Faisal Malik as Inspector P. K. Yadav
- Rachit Singh as Veeran
- Alexander O’Neal as Alexander
- Ankit Mohan as Jimmy
- Vinod Suryavanshi as Ambhu
- Hritika Kanwar as Tanya
- Deepak Kalra as Joy
- Raj Premi as Raktaksh
- Shailesh Korde as Elder Betaal 1
- Krishna Kant Rai as Elder Betaal 2
- Janardhan Kadam as Man at Graveyard
- Hashim Haider as News Reporter
- Deepak Daryani as Doctor
Cameo / Special Appearances:
- Nora Fatehi – in the song “Dilbar Ki Aankhon Ka” (as dancer; cameo)
- Malaika Arora – special dance number “Poison Baby” (cameo)
- Amar Kaushik – cameo in the same song “Poison Baby”
- Sathyaraj as Elvis Karim Prabhakar (cameo)
- Abhishek Banerjee as Jana (cameo)
- Varun Dhawan as Bhaskar / Bhediya (cameo)
- Sunil Kumar as Sarkata (cameo)
⚠️ Notes & Caveats
- Some sources list slightly different spellings (e.g., “Arun Fulara” vs “Arun Falara”).
- While most main cast & crew are well-documented, the complete minor cast (additional supporting/background actors) may not be publicly listed yet.
- The cameo list includes surprise appearances and members of the wider “universe” (i.e., the franchise’s shared characters) which are sometimes uncredited formally.
- Runtime, budget details and full international distributor credits may evolve with official updates.
4. Detailed Analysis – Segment by Segment
4.1 Story & Screenplay
The story is inventive in concept: journalist meets mysterious woman, gets dragged into supernatural clan wars. The dual timeline, folklore backdrop, vampiric mythos all bring freshness.
However, the writing sometimes leans into spectacle over substance. Introduction of characters is fast; some arcs feel truncated. The film’s runtime (around 149 minutes) may stretch the patience of viewers who favour tighter scripting.
4.2 Direction & Tone
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, the film has moments of flair: the trekking sequence, mystical moments, the midway reveal. Reviewers acknowledge his “command over genre-mixing”.
At the same time, the tone wobbles: Is it a horror film? Is it a rom-com with fangs? At times the transitions feel forced rather than seamless. The result: a mixed bag of moods.
4.3 Performances
As mentioned earlier, the leads deliver. Ayushmann is comfortable; Rashmika emotive and strong; Paresh Rawal reliable; Nawazuddin adds menace. Supporting cast and cameos (yes, there are many) serve to extend the universe and give fan-service.
One weakness: chemistry between the leads could have been stronger — some viewers felt the romantic arc was under-developed.
4.4 Visuals, VFX & Technicals
In terms of visuals and scale, the film scores high. The sets, costumes, transformation of characters into supernatural creatures — all have polish. According to a review: “The lavish production design, high-quality VFX, and an energetic background score that attempts to inject…”
But some criticism: VFX work, while ambitious, at times shows its seams (especially in transitions or creature design) and the horror moments aren’t as chilling as promised.
4.5 Music & Sound Design
The soundtrack composed by Sachin‑Jigar is peppy and suits the film’s tone of romance + horror + comedy. One review describes the background score as “electrifying and enhances the tension and romantic intensity throughout”.
Certain songs stand out: “Tum Mere Na Huye”, “Rahein Na Rahein Hum”, “Dilbar Ki Aankhon Ka”, “Poison Baby”. These tracks add to the festive appeal.
4.6 Entertainment Value & Audience Appeal
If you’re looking for a big-screen Diwali outing, complete with romance, comedy, spooky fun, mythological flavour, then Thamma delivers large swathes of entertainment. It hits many of the right boxes for mass-audiences, families, and holiday viewers. Some netizens have called it a “crowd-pleaser”.
However — if you’re a viewer who prefers tight horror, spine-chilling tension, lean narrative and deep emotional arcs — then you may leave feeling something was missing.
5. How Does Thamma Compare with Earlier Franchise Films?
The film is part of the MHCU (Maddock Horror Comedy Universe) which includes films like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, Stree 2, etc. Wikipedia
Comparisons are inevitable:
- Some say Thamma is the weakest entry yet. E.g., Cinema Express said it is “the weakest entry in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe”.
- Others feel it’s a fun entry, albeit less profound than earlier ones. Reddit comments show split views: “Loved it. Really funny … Ayushmann was really good.”
“Very bad movie – worst in the Maddock horror universe.”
In short: if you’re a fan of the universe, you’ll enjoy the nods, cameos and scale. But you might not find the same emotional or horror punch that earlier films offered.
6. Who Should Watch Thamma? And Who Should Skip?
Watch if you:
- Want a Diwali holiday film that’s light-hearted, visually rich and entertaining.
- Enjoy mythological settings, Indian folklore with a modern twist.
- Are a fan of Ayushmann Khurrana or Rashmika Mandanna and want big-screen experience.
- Are okay with moderate horror and more emphasis on fun / spectacle than pure terror.
Skip (or watch cautiously) if you:
- Expect a traditional horror with jump scares, high tension, and deep dread.
- Want a tightly narrated film with strong emotional journey and minimal fluff.
- Are not a fan of large-scale spectacle with multiple subplots and cameos.
7. Box Office & Market Context
While the performance is early to assess fully, pre-release buzz seemed muted compared to expectations. One report predicted a weekend collection of ₹18-20 crore, which is modest for a Diwali release of this scale.
In social media and reviews, opinions are mixed. A large section of audiences appear divided between enjoyment and disappointment.
8. Final Verdict
Rating: 3 / 5 stars (approximate, based on critical consensus and audience reaction)
Thamma is worth a watch, especially for those seeking an entertaining, festival-friendly film with star power, mythology, romance and horror-comedy flavour. It offers moments of spectacle, charm and fun.
However — it is not flawless. Pacing issues, weaker horror impact, emotional depth that falls short and the fact that it may be the weaker link in its own franchise should be acknowledged. If you go with realistic expectations — that this is mass-entertainment rather than serious horror or deep drama — you will likely enjoy it.
9. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. What is the release date of Thamma?
A1. Thamma was theatrically released on 21 October 2025, coinciding with the Diwali festival.
Q2. Who are the main cast & crew of Thamma?
A2. The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal. It is directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan & Amar Kaushik under Maddock Films.
Q3. Is Thamma part of a franchise? Do I need to watch previous films?
A3. Yes, Thamma is part of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. While it stands alone in its story, there are cameo references and universe-connects. You do not strictly need to watch previous films to enjoy Thamma. Wikipedia
Q4. What genre is Thamma? Horror, comedy, romance?
A4. Thamma attempts a blend of horror, comedy and romance — wrapped in mythological and supernatural elements. It is not a pure horror film but a hybrid intended for mass entertainment.
Q5. How scary is Thamma? Will it give me genuine chills?
A5. Based on reviews and audience reactions, the horror element is moderate at best. Some viewers feel the horror aspect didn’t land strongly. If you’re seeking heavy chills, you may be under-wowed.
Q6. Are there songs and music in Thamma?
A6. Yes — the film features several songs composed by Sachin-Jigar. Tracks like “Tum Mere Na Huye”, “Rahein Na Rahein Hum”, “Dilbar Ki Aankhon Ka”, and “Poison Baby” are part of the musical landscape.
Q7. What are the strengths and drawbacks of the film?
A7. Strengths: star performances, mythology twist, visual scale, festive entertainment value. Drawbacks: pacing issues, weaker horror impact, emotional arc could have been stronger, franchise comparisons might disappoint some. (Discussed above)
Q8. Should I watch it in theatre or wait for OTT?
A8. If you relish the theatrical experience — big screen, festive crowd, visual spectacle — go now. If you’re more selective and prefer tighter scripts and high scares, you might wait for OTT and watch at home.
10. Final Thoughts
In the crowded festival release calendar, Thamma stands out for its ambition: to mix romance, myth, horror, comedy and star-power in one. It delivers a fun ride, albeit one with some rough edges.
If you’re planning a Diwali outing with friends or family and want to be entertained rather than chilled to the bone, Thamma fits the bill. Just go in with the mindset: “big screen popcorn fun, not arthouse horror”.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of box office predictions, key scenes to watch, or Easter-eggs/cameos in the film!