Mumbai – Maddock Films’ horror-comedy Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, hit theatres on Tuesday, coinciding with Diwali, amid high expectations. The film, the fifth instalment of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), collected ₹24.87 crore on its opening day, according to Sacnilk.
Opening day performance and comparisons
Thamma opened largely unopposed at the box office, with the only other release during the Diwali weekend being Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. Despite the festive release, Thamma’s opening fell short of previous MHCU films such as Stree 2, which opened at ₹35 crore last year, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which collected ₹32 crore on its first day last Diwali.
The last big Hindi release before Diwali was Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, which faced stiff competition from the Kannada film Kantara Chapter 1. In comparison, Thamma enjoyed a relatively clear run in theatres, but the box office numbers indicate slightly moderate audience pull relative to its predecessors.
About the film and plot
Thamma explores vampire lore within the MHCU. The film follows Ayushmann Khurrana, who suddenly becomes a vampire and falls in love with Rashmika Mandanna. Their romance faces challenges as the story delves into a mythological tale of Rakhtbeej.
Produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, Thamma has been described as a bloody love story and a family-friendly horror-comedy, with scares presented in a manner suitable for younger audiences.
Speaking to ANI, Ayushmann said, “My character is neither ‘Stree’ nor ‘Bhediya’. He is not even Munjya. He is Thama or Betaal. This is completely different. The film will take the legacy of Maddock’s Horror Comedy Universe forward. It is also a perfect family entertainer. The horror has been presented in such a way that the kids can also digest it easily.”
Reviews and audience reaction
Early reviews have been positive, particularly praising the chemistry between Ayushmann and Rashmika. A Hindustan Times review noted:
“There’s genuine chemistry between Ayushmann and Rashmika. The interval point comes at the right time, and then the second half turns into a roller coaster ride, one filled with the critical integrations with the other films of the MHCU. Weaving the story into the mythological tale of Rakhtbeej is a masterstroke, and that explains why I mentioned MHCU as the only Indian film universe getting things correct.”
Audiences have highlighted the film’s blend of comedy, horror, and romance, making it a Diwali-friendly entertainer that carries forward the MHCU legacy.