Title: Thamma
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, Geeta Agarwal, Faisal Malik, etc.
Cinematography: Saurabh Goswami
Editing: Hemanti Sarkar
Music: Sachin–Jigar
Producers: Dinesh Vijan, Amar Kaushik
Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
Release Date: 21 October 2025
Maddock Films brings yet another entry in its horror-comedy series with Thamma. The main attraction here is Rashmika Mandanna, the pan-India actress playing the lead role, alongside Ayushmann Khurrana.
Let’s delve into what the film actually offers.
Story:
The film opens in 323 BC, where a strange, human-like being called Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) drains the blood of Alexander the Great.
After this cold opening, the story jumps to the present day, where Alok Goel (Ayushmann Khurrana) is a TV reporter. On a professional expedition, he ventures deep into a forest, gets chased by a wild bear, and is eventually saved by Thadaka (Rashmika Mandanna).
Thadaka may look human, but she isn’t. She is neither a vampire nor a ghost in the traditional sense, but a betaal, a blood-sucking immortal being committed to doing good. Her backstory dates back to pre-independence India. By rule, she cannot form relationships with humans, yet she develops a bond with Alok.
When Alok dies in an accident, Thadaka bites him, turning him into a betaal, dead as a human but alive with the same memories and immortal body.
What happens next, and whom he must fight, forms the rest of the story.
Artistes Performances:
Ayushmann Khurrana performs his role with ease. Rashmika Mandanna, the true lead, is glamorous and fierce, but her urban, revealing costume sometimes undermines her portrayal as a forest-dwelling betaala.
Paresh Rawal delivers comic relief with his expressions and witty dialogues like, “Rajma… sauteli maa!” Faisal Malik as an inspector from the Betaal clan is competent.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s character, however, is confusing and lacks depth. His shifting motivations dilute the impact of the antagonist.
Malaika Arora, at 51, impresses in a steamy item number, holding her glamour effortlessly, while Nora Fatehi’s song is brief but impactful.
Cameos include Sathyaraj as Elvis Karim Prabhakar, Abhishek Banerjee as Jana, and Varun Dhawan reprising Bhediya from previous films.
Technical Excellence:
The music, composed by Sachin-Jigar, is impressive. Three item numbers placed strategically in the first half, second half and during the end credits stand out.
The remix of “Kehdo Tujhe” is particularly catchy, though ended up as a bit song. Background score complements the film’s tone.
Cinematography by Saurabh Goswami and editing by Hemanti Sarkar are competent, with most sequences set in dimly lit forests, maintaining the film’s dark yet playful ambiance. Production values, CGI, and graphics are solid.
Highlights:
Rashmika Mandanna
Production Values
Drawbacks:
Weak villain
No strong emotional hook
Forced scenes
Analysis:
The title Thamma draws inspiration from Ashwatthama of the Mahabharata, a figure synonymous with immortality and extraordinary power. While the film borrows the idea of immortality implied in the name, it barely explores the deeper mythical or philosophical dimensions associated with Ashwatthamma.
Instead, the narrative focuses on the horror-comedy angle, treating the immortal aspect more as a plot device than as a thematic exploration. The legendary undertone is largely superficial, serving as a backdrop rather than a central narrative force.
The story loosely resembles the first part of Avatar, where a human bonds with an alien out of love. The female lead’s expressions, particularly anger or other emotions conveyed through peculiar mouth gestures, are reminiscent of that film. However, Thamma follows Maddock Films’ signature semi-farce comedy mixed with lighthearted horror.
Thamma may engage the audiences already familiar with Maddock Films’ distinct horror-comedy universe, which blends supernatural elements with humor and quirky characters. Fans of films like Stree, Stree 2 and Bhediya will likely enjoy the familiar tonal patterns, comedic timing and the interconnected world of characters.
For newcomers, however, the film may feel disjointed, amateurish, or forced, as many jokes and plot developments rely on prior knowledge of the Maddock universe. Without this context, some sequences can appear confusing or even absurd.
The film adds a notable entry to Rashmika Mandanna’s career for her unique portrayal of Thadaka, a role that has the potential to see her return in future sequels of Maddock Films’ horror-comedy franchise.
To sum up, the film has zero horror element and with forced comedy. For the cult followers of Maddock Films, Thamma may add an enjoyable layer to the horror comedy canon, offering familiar entertainment and expected forced humor. For uninitiated viewers, it might be a “sar phod daar” (head-breaking) experience; peculiar, unpredictable and overwhelming, leaving them unsure whether to laugh or scratch their heads in disbelief.
Bottomline: Engaging Not Exciting
