Plot
Thamma follows Alok (Ayushmann Khurrana), a man cursed to become a Baital — a vampire-like creature who feeds on human blood. As he grapples with this horrifying transformation, he falls in love with Vaidehi (Rashmika Mandanna). However, their love story is complicated by his monstrous urges, a sinister villain named Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), and a looming supernatural war that ties the film into the larger Maddock horror-comedy universe. As Alok tries to fight his fate and preserve his humanity, he’s pulled deeper into a chaotic spiral of love, identity, and immortality.
Overview
Thamma, released on October 21, 2025, is a horror-romance-comedy directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Maddock Films. The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok, a man who transforms into a vampire-like creature called a Baital, struggling to balance his bloodthirsty curse with a budding romance with Rashmika Mandanna’s character, Vaidehi. While the movie attempts to expand the Maddock horror-comedy universe, it falters with an inconsistent tone, underwhelming execution, and a lackluster villain played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Despite cameos from familiar faces like Abhishek Banerjee and a humorous appearance from Paresh Rawal, the film never quite finds its footing. With little emotional depth and few real scares, Thamma earns a modest 2 out of 5 stars, leaving audiences wishing for a sharper bite.
Performances
- Ayushmann Khurrana tries hard to breathe life into a complex character torn between love and bloodlust. While sincere, his performance lacks the sharpness and ease seen in his earlier films.
- Rashmika Mandanna brings visual appeal and some emotional depth, but her inconsistent chemistry with Ayushmann weakens the romantic track.
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui is sadly underutilized. His villainous role turns into a cartoonish caricature rather than a genuine threat.
- Paresh Rawal and Abhishek Banerjee offer a few clever, meta-comedy moments but can't uplift the overall dull narrative.
Music
- The background score is occasionally haunting but doesn't sustain tension or emotion consistently.
- A couple of tracks are catchy but don't leave a lasting impression.
- The famous "Ayushmann Bhava" meta joke in a musical moment is clever but short-lived.
Editing
- The editing feels sluggish, especially in the first half, where the story drags and overstays its welcome.
- VFX is passable but far from impressive, especially for a vampire-centered story.
- Production design lacks the eerie tone expected of the genre, with generic visuals and underwhelming horror sequences.
Positives
- Intriguing premise with vampire folklore
- Some clever, meta humour
- Connection to the Maddock horror universe
- Varun Dhawan’s cameo as a link to Bhediya
Negatives
- Dull screenplay and poor pacing
- Weak romantic chemistry
- Underwhelming villain
- Lack of scares or suspense
- No clear social message (unlike Stree, Bhediya, Munjya)
Analysis
Thamma had the potential to add a dark, romantic, and mythical edge to the Maddock horror-comedy universe, but it falls flat due to a poorly structured narrative. The first half drags, the emotional arcs lack conviction, and even the horror elements feel neutered. Ayushmann and Rashmika try their best but are let down by inconsistent writing. Unlike its predecessors (Stree, Bhediya, Munjya), which had strong social messages, Thamma feels toothless and thematically empty. A few humorous touches and franchise cameos offer some spark, but the film doesn’t justify its own existence.
Bottomline: Thamma tries to suck blood but ends up draining patience
Rating: 2/5
