Thamma, the latest addition to the Maddock Films horror-comedy universe, marks a bold attempt to blend Indian mythology with vampire lore. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, the film stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui playing the menacing antagonist.
The film arrives with much anticipation, given the success of earlier universe entries like Stree and Bhediya, and comes billed as the most expensive film in the franchise yet. Set against the backdrop of ancient Indian folklore and contemporary dilemmas, Thamma aims to offer a fresh take on horror-romance while delivering the theatrical experience Indian audiences crave during the festive season. At its heart, it is a story of identity, love, and legacy wrapped in a genre-bending package.
Thamma: Plot
The story of Thamma opens with Alok Goyal, a dedicated historian, whose curiosity about the legendary vampiric cult known as the “vetalas” (or similar mythic beings) leads him into unexplored territories of Indian myth. Alok’s research reveals that the vampiric lineage is not just legend, but alive and buried within the ruins of the Vijayanagara era, hinting at a lineage that transcends time. He meets Tadaka, a fierce and enigmatic woman whose own past is intertwined with this dark legacy, and through her he enters a world where love, identity and ancient bloodlines collide. Meanwhile, the return of Yakshasan who’s a powerfully malevolent figure, signals the resurgence of primal forces that threaten humanity.
The narrative weaves between two timelines: the present‑day world of Alok’s research and the historical realm of empire, betrayal and supernatural ascendency. As the story unfolds Alok is transformed, by fate or accident, into one of the very beings he sought to study and stop. His relationship with Tadaka becomes both an emotional anchor and a battlefield of conflicting loyalty: should he choose his humanity or his heritage? In the climax, Alok must embrace his dark nature, confront Yakshasan’s plot to unleash bloodlust on humanity and reconcile his love for Tadaka with his own monstrous self.
While the film tracks familiar beats like transformation, forbidden love, ancient curse, it distinguishes itself with its setting of Indian mythic geography and its ambition to blend horror, romance and comedy into one sprawling spectacle.
Thamma: Performances
Ayushmann Khurrana gives a committed performance as Alok, capturing the layered transitions from scholar to supernatural warrior with surprising steadiness. His portrayal of a man caught between two worlds lends credibility to the film’s more outlandish moments. Rashmika Mandanna, as Tadaka, brings a strong presence: she balances vulnerability with strength, making her character more than mere love interest and better defined within the supernatural conflict.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Yakshasan stands out among supporting roles, infusing the antagonist with calm menace rather than just cartoonish evil. His scenes hold weight and elevate the stakes whenever he appears. Veteran actor Paresh Rawal lends comic relief and emotional grounding as Ram Bajaj Goyal, though at times the script fails to develop his character beyond function. On the whole the ensemble succeeds in anchoring a high‑concept story in human emotion. Some side characters do remain underwritten, yet the major players deliver performances that help the genre blend work.
The film is not without its exciting cameos. The most exciting and highlight cameo of the film is, without a doubt, Varun Dhawan as Bhediya. Abhishek Banerjee appears again as Jana, aka JD. Sathyaraj plays Elvis Karim Prabhakar in a cameo role, reprising from Munjya. Nora Fatehi’s appearance is more than just a dance number. She appears in the song ‘Dilbar Ki Aankhon Ka’, but it’s revealed that she is playing the same girl from Chanderi who appeared in the ‘Kamariya’ song from Stree.
Thamma: Analysis
What sets Thamma apart is its rooted approach to vampire mythology. Rather than relying on Western tropes, the film draws inspiration from Indian folklore, presenting its supernatural beings as evolved versions of Yakshas and other mythic entities. This cultural specificity lends depth and freshness to the world-building.
The screenplay by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara builds on a fresh folkloric idea and stays engaging for the most part. It maintains tension without sacrificing wit, especially in Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s dialogues, which bring a playful bite. However, the second half does slow down, weighed by backstory and exposition that dilute some of the urgency built in the first act. Having said that, the film largely recovers its rhythm in the final 30 minutes, where stakes and emotions collide in an engaging payoff.
Sachin–Jigar’s music blends well with the genre. The romantic tracks are tuneful and the background score hits the right notes, especially in scenes that pivot between suspense and sentiment. Choreography feels more functional than memorable, but the festive number adds crowd appeal.
Cinematographer Saurabh Goswami adds scale and texture. His frames in the historical flashbacks and forest sequences elevate the supernatural tone. Editing by Hemanti Sarkar holds but doesn’t always balance the transitions between timelines smoothly.
Compared to earlier films from the Maddock horror-comedy universe like Stree or Bhediya, Thamma is more myth-heavy and emotionally anchored, but it doesn’t match the sharp tonal balance of Stree or the visual novelty of Bhediya. While it aims higher with its lore and scale, a tighter runtime and more organic tonal shifts would have made the impact stronger.
Thamma: Verdict
Thamma is a bold, mostly successful attempt to combine mythic romance and supernatural horror in a distinctly Indian setting. With compelling performances by Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna and a villainous presence from Nawazuddin Siddiqui, the film delivers both entertainment and ambition.
While it may not fully escape the trappings of genre familiarity and is somewhat uneven in its pacing, it stands out for its visual scale, folklore grounding and festive appeal. For viewers seeking a Diwali outing filled with thrills, romance and myth, this is a worthwhile cinematic ride.
Thamma: Rating
Critics Rating: 4/5
Box Office Rating: 3.5/5
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