Thamma is the fifth film in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), after Stree, Bhediya, Munjya and Stree 2. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, it stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna as a journalist and a betaal (vampire-like being) who fall in love, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the villain. Critics were divided, and we rate it 3 out of 5: imaginative and good-looking, but overlong.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Title | Thamma (also spelled Thama) |
| Release date | October 21, 2025 (Diwali release) |
| Director | Aditya Sarpotdar |
| Writers | Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, Arun Fulara |
| Producers | Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, Maddock Films |
| Starring | Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal |
| Genre | Horror-comedy, fantasy, romance |
| Runtime | About 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Certificate | U/A |
| Music | Sachin-Jigar |
| Cinematography | Saurabh Goswami |
| Language | Hindi |
| IMDb rating | About 6.4/10 |
| Our rating | 3 / 5 |
Where to Watch Thamma
Thamma had a two-step digital release on Amazon Prime Video: early access as a rental from December 2, 2025, and full streaming from December 16, 2025. It is now available on Prime Video.
Thamma Cast
| Actor | Character | Role in the story |
|---|---|---|
| Ayushmann Khurrana | Alok Goyal | A Delhi journalist and social media personality chasing viral fame |
| Rashmika Mandanna | Tadaka (also written as Tadka) | A rule-abiding betaal who saves Alok and falls for him |
| Nawazuddin Siddiqui | Yakshasan | The imprisoned king of the betaals and the film’s dark overlord |
| Paresh Rawal | Key supporting role | Part of the film’s comic and dramatic ensemble |
The wider cast includes Faisal Malik, Rachit Singh, Geeta Agarwal, Ankit Mohan and Vinod Suryavanshi. Varun Dhawan appears as Bhediya, and Abhishek Banerjee and Sathyaraj have cameos. Nora Fatehi and Malaika Arora also appear in the film.
Plot (Spoiler-Free)
Alok Goyal is a journalist who has built a following online and is desperate for news that will go viral. On a trip into a forest, he is attacked and saved by Tadaka, a mysterious betaal. What follows is an unexpected connection between a modern city man and a being from ancient folklore.
Their romance runs into trouble because of an old rule laid down by Yakshasan, the imprisoned king of the betaals. When that rule is broken, the story turns from a love story into a supernatural conflict. Underneath the jokes and the fangs, the film plays with ideas of identity, belonging and what it means to be human.
How Thamma Fits Into the MHCU
Thamma is the fifth entry in Maddock’s horror-comedy universe, which began with Stree (2018) and continued with Bhediya (2022), Munjya (2024) and Stree 2 (2024). Like those films, it mixes Indian folklore with modern comedy, and it includes crossover cameos for fans. It opened at around ₹24 to 25 crore in India, which reports described as the second biggest opening in the franchise after Stree 2. Because it is part of a connected universe, fans of the earlier films will catch references that casual viewers may miss, though the main story can be followed on its own.
How Thamma Was Received
Critics split sharply on Thamma. Most agreed that the film looks good and has committed performances, but many found it long, repetitive and uneven.
| Outlet | Rating | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Bollywood Hungama | 4/5 | Called it a well-packaged entertainer |
| 123telugu | 2.75/5 | Novel idea, uneven narration |
| Free Press Journal | 2.5/5 | Said the cast stretches to make the film work |
| Gulte | 2.25/5 | Called it a filler addition to the universe |
| Glamsham | 2/5 | Called it flashy but hollow |
| One national daily | 1.5/5 | Said the leads are never funny enough |
Audiences were warmer than critics in the opening days, with many viewers on social media calling it a fun festive watch. Rashmika Mandanna’s Tadaka was repeatedly described as the film’s bright spot.
Box office. Thamma opened at about ₹24 to 25 crore in India. Because of the mixed reviews, collections dropped as the run continued. One report put the total at about ₹147.81 crore domestic and ₹21.94 crore overseas, while other trackers listed different figures, so check a current source before quoting a final number. It was a success overall but did less well than some of the franchise’s biggest hits.
Performances
- Ayushmann Khurrana (Alok). Brings his usual charm and commitment. He sells both the comic and the more vulnerable moments, though some critics felt his jokes did not always land.
- Rashmika Mandanna (Tadaka). The most praised performance. She brings energy and warmth to a difficult role and anchors the romance.
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Yakshasan). Menacing and magnetic as the villain, and he gives the film a darker edge.
- Paresh Rawal and the supporting cast. The veteran actor and the supporting players supply much of the humour in the first half.
What Works
- The central idea. A fresh vampire-style myth rooted in Indian folklore, mixed with a modern romance.
- Rashmika’s Tadaka. A likeable, emotional centre for the film.
- Visuals and production design. Critics who disliked the story still praised the film’s look, effects and scale.
- Humour in the early stretch. The comedy in the opening portion is lively, with good timing from the cast.
- MHCU cameos. Appearances such as Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya reward fans of the universe.
- Emotional undertones. Beneath the horror and jokes, there are ideas about identity and belonging.
What Could Be Better
- Length. At about two and a half hours, the film is long, and several reviewers called it overlong and repetitive.
- Uneven screenplay. The exciting idea is not fully matched by the writing.
- Musical numbers. Some songs stretch the runtime and slow the story.
- Loud background score. One critic noted ear-splitting music during set pieces.
- A weaker second half. Several reviews said the film loses momentum later and the finale feels weak.
- Not as strong as Stree 2. Critics generally felt the film does not match the highs of the franchise’s best entries.
Our Review
Thamma is a bold and often entertaining horror-comedy that has more ideas than it can comfortably carry. It tries to be a love story, a folklore fantasy, a comedy, a horror film and a universe-builder all at once, and the result is fun in stretches but stretched in length.
The film’s best asset is its central pairing. Ayushmann Khurrana plays Alok as an anxious, attention-hungry journalist, and his comic timing and emotional honesty make the character easy to follow. Opposite him, Rashmika Mandanna gives what may be her most nuanced Hindi role so far. She plays Tadaka with a mix of elegance, innocence and danger, and she gives the romance a believable heart. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, meanwhile, adds menace and gravitas as the dark overlord, even if the film could have used him more.
The humour is at its best in the opening stretch, where the jokes come naturally and the supporting cast gets room to play. The visual effects and production design are a strong point too. The film balances horror with visual scale, and the betaal world feels distinct. The cameos from earlier MHCU films, including Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya, are a treat for fans, and the connected universe feels more cohesive here than in some earlier entries.
The problems begin as the runtime grows. At about two and a half hours, the film drags in places. Several musical numbers stretch the story, the pacing is uneven, and the second half repeats ideas that the first half already set up. The screenplay also does not fully match the promise of its premise, a point that critics raised again and again, and the climax is less powerful than the build-up suggests.
Still, there is real affection in the film. Underneath the fangs and the jokes, it asks questions about identity and belonging, and it treats its romance seriously. If you go in expecting a festive, good-looking entertainer rather than a sharp, tightly written horror-comedy on the level of Stree 2, you are likely to have a good time.
Our Rating
3 / 5
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Performances | 4 / 5 |
| Story and screenplay | 2.5 / 5 |
| Humour | 3 / 5 |
| Horror and scares | 3 / 5 |
| Visual effects and production design | 3.5 / 5 |
| Music | 3 / 5 |
| Pacing | 2.5 / 5 |
| Rewatch value | 3 / 5 |
Should You Watch Thamma?
Watch it if you enjoy the MHCU, like Ayushmann Khurrana or Rashmika Mandanna, or want a light supernatural romance for a festive or weekend watch.
Skip it or lower expectations if you want a tight, scary film, or expect the sharp writing of Stree 2.
Do you need to watch the earlier films first? No. The story stands on its own, though MHCU fans will enjoy the cameos and references more.
Final Verdict
Thamma is a visually rich, well-acted and sometimes funny horror-comedy that is let down by its length and uneven writing. It earns its place in the Maddock universe through its performances, its folklore-driven idea and its heart, but it does not reach the heights of the franchise’s best films. It is an enjoyable watch for fans and for anyone in the mood for a lighthearted supernatural romance, as long as you can forgive the pacing.
Final rating: 3 / 5.
FAQs
What is the plot of Thamma? Alok Goyal, a journalist chasing viral fame, is saved in a forest by Tadaka, a betaal. They fall in love, but an ancient rule set by Yakshasan, the imprisoned king of the betaals, puts them in danger.
Who stars in Thamma? Ayushmann Khurrana plays Alok and Rashmika Mandanna plays Tadaka, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Yakshasan and Paresh Rawal in a key role.
When was Thamma released? October 21, 2025, in cinemas, coinciding with Diwali.
Who directed and wrote Thamma? Aditya Sarpotdar directed it. It was written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara.
What genre is Thamma? Horror-comedy with fantasy and romance.
How long is the movie? About 2 hours 30 minutes.
Is Thamma part of a cinematic universe? Yes. It is the fifth film in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, after Stree, Bhediya, Munjya and Stree 2.
What is Thamma’s IMDb rating? About 6.4 out of 10, according to reports from late 2025. Check IMDb for the current score.
What is the main theme of the film? Forbidden love between a human and a supernatural being, along with identity, belonging and the clash of ancient powers.
Where can I watch Thamma online? On Amazon Prime Video. It was available as a rental from December 2, 2025, and for full streaming from December 16, 2025.
Was Thamma a hit? It opened well at about ₹24 to 25 crore and earned well overall, but reviews were mixed and collections fell faster than for the franchise’s biggest hits.
Does Varun Dhawan appear in Thamma? Yes, he appears as Bhediya in a cameo.
Who composed the music? Sachin-Jigar.
Is Thamma suitable for kids? It is certified U/A, so parental guidance is advised because of its horror elements.
Is Thamma better than Munjya? It is a matter of taste. Thamma is bigger in scale and more romance-led, but its length drew criticism from reviewers.
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