Mumbai: The launch of Poison Baby, the latest song from the upcoming film Thamma, turned into a dazzling spectacle on Monday evening as Malaika Arora and Rashmika Mandanna lit up the red carpet with their impromptu dance. The glamorous event, held in Mumbai, quickly became the talk of social media after videos of the two stars grooving together went viral.
While both actors captivated audiences with their energy and charm, it was Malaika Arora, 51, who stole the spotlight. Fans and netizens flooded timelines with admiration for her graceful movements and timeless appeal, once again reaffirming her title as Bollywood’s evergreen dance diva.
Malaika and Rashmika’s spontaneous dance takes over the Internet
As photographers captured the two stars arriving at the event, Malaika and Rashmika decided to turn the red carpet into their stage. The duo began dancing to Poison Baby — a high-energy track from the film’s soundtrack — matching each other’s enthusiasm and moves.
Rashmika, known for her bubbly persona and expressive charm, brought her signature joy to the moment, while Malaika’s effortless ‘thumkas’ and poise drew instant applause from onlookers. Many social media users hailed her as “the OG Chaiyya Chaiyya queen,” celebrating how she continues to exude confidence and charisma even decades after her breakout dance number.
Stunning red carpet looks
For the glamorous launch event, Malaika Arora stunned in an ivory co-ord set that shimmered under the lights. The sleek, high-waisted skirt paired with a cropped, embroidered full-sleeve blouse accentuated her toned frame. With her hair styled in soft curls and accessorised with a delicate waist chain, she struck a balance between elegance and allure.
Rashmika Mandanna, meanwhile, chose a black floral lehenga with a bralette-style blouse featuring sheer sleeves. Her look, paired with a printed dupatta, reflected a blend of youthful exuberance and refined glamour — perfectly in sync with her vibrant personality.
Internet reacts to the viral moment
The red carpet dance clip spread like wildfire across social platforms, with fans debating who owned the moment.
One fan gushed, “Malla ma’am nailed it! She’s still our OG Chaiyya Chaiyya girl — pure positive vibes!” Another wrote, “Age is just a number. Malaika’s confidence is goals!”
At the same time, Rashmika’s fans flooded timelines with praise for her lively presence. “Rashmika ma’am just looking like wowww!” one admirer commented.
However, not all reactions were entirely glowing. Some netizens felt the dance appeared “too rehearsed” or “attention-seeking.” One post quipped, “I thought they were influencers dancing until I saw their faces.”
Despite the mixed opinions, the clip continues to dominate social media feeds, underlining how both stars managed to create a moment that blended style, spontaneity, and star power.
About the song and film Thamma
Poison Baby is performed by Jasmine Sandlas, Sachin–Jigar, and Divya Kumar, and features the signature high-energy sound associated with the Stree franchise’s music. Its launch marks the start of the promotional campaign for Thamma, a horror-comedy directed by Aditya Sarpotdar.
The film is the fifth instalment in Maddock Films’ growing horror-comedy universe, following Stree (2018), Bhediya (2022), Munjya, and Stree 2 (2024).
Starring Ayushmann Khurrana as a man who unexpectedly turns into a vampire, Thamma blends horror, humour, and romance as his character falls in love with Rashmika’s role. Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays the antagonist in what the makers describe as a “bloody love story.” The film is slated for release this Diwali, on 21 October.
A moment that stole the spotlight
Although the launch was organised to promote Poison Baby, it was the dynamic chemistry between Malaika Arora and Rashmika Mandanna that truly stole the show. Their spontaneous dance, charisma, and confidence highlighted two generations of Bollywood glamour — effortlessly bridging the gap between classic and contemporary.
As one user aptly summed up on X (formerly Twitter): “Two generations of charm, one iconic dance-off — and Malaika still reigns supreme.”