Thamma Review: When I walked into Thamma, the fifth film in Maddock’s so-called “Horror Comedy Universe,” I was equal parts excited and nervous. Excited because, finally, my guy Bhediya is back. Nervous because, let’s be honest, the last few entries in this universe have been all over the place.
And after sitting through Thamma, here’s my straight take: it’s not a bad movie, but it’s far from great either.
Let’s break it down.
My Rating:3.5/5
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Thamma |
| Release Year | 2025 |
| Genre | Horror Comedy, Fantasy, Action |
| Language | Hindi |
| Runtime | 2h 30m |
| Director | Aditya Sarpotdar |
| Writers | Niren Bhatt, Arun Fulara, Suresh Mathew |
| Production House | Maddock Films |
| Main Cast | Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Nora Fatehi |
| Post-Credit Scene | Yes (Mid-credit tease for Shaktishalini) |
Thamma Story (No Major Spoilers)
The movie kicks off with Rashmika Mandanna, who seems like the lead at first. She plays a member of a secret vampire clan that hides deep in Indian forests, a nod to local folklore where they’re called Betals.
What I liked here is the mythological layer they’ve added, connecting it to Maa Kali and Raktbeej. You know, that demon whose blood created more demons every time he was attacked? The movie builds on that legend in a surprisingly smart way. For a moment, I thought, Okay, maybe we’re in for something solid.
But then, the story shifts to Ayushmann Khurrana, who eventually becomes the main focus. The first half spends way too long setting things up. We’re mostly watching Rashmika’s world and her inner conflict. And honestly? It drags.
It’s only in the second half, when Ayushmann’s vampire arc actually kicks in, that things start moving. But by then, you can’t help but feel like, “Dude, half the movie’s gone, and now you’re starting the real plot?”
The Humor Problem
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room, the humor.
The movie tries way too hard to sound cool by borrowing lines, hashtags, and “reel-worthy” one-liners straight from social media. And the result? Cringe. Absolute cringe.
That’s the thing, jokes that work in 10-second Instagram clips rarely work in a two-hour movie. The writing team doesn’t seem to get that. You can’t build humor around internet trends and expect it to feel timeless or natural.
There were a few moments that landed, though, like when someone mistakenly calls Ayushmann’s character “Bittoo” (a fun callback to Stree and Bhediya fans). That part actually got a laugh out of me. But overall, most of the humor either falls flat or makes you groan.
The Action (Now We’re Talking)
Here’s where Thamma actually shines, the Bhediya vs. Vampire fight.
I’ll admit, when I saw the trailer, I thought this was just a gimmick, a short cameo moment. But no, they went all in. The CGI isn’t perfect, and you can tell when something’s real or green-screened, but the atmosphere? Damn, it’s good.
The build-up to that fight, the intensity, the music, all of it works. Honestly, I’d say this mid-movie showdown was better than the final battle with Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who plays the main villain.
Speaking of Nawazuddin, he’s great as always, but the role? Weak. He’s been given the same creepy-cool vibe we’ve seen from him a hundred times. Rashmika’s action scenes, too, feel undercooked. The wire work is obvious, and it looks more “posed” than powerful.
But that Bhediya vs. Vampire sequence? That’s the moment you sit up in your seat again.
Also Read: Bhagwat Chapter One: Rakshas Review – The Cyanide Killer Story That’ll Crawl Under Your Skin
Writing & Character Fatigue
There’s something else I noticed, and it’s subtle but important.
All the main male leads across this universe, Vicky from Stree, Bhaskar from Bhediya, and now Alok from Thamma, feel almost identical. Same nervous comedy, same tone, same kind of punchlines. It’s like watching clones in different outfits.
It’s time these writers stop relying on the same formula and give each lead a distinct personality. Otherwise, it’s going to start feeling like the same movie repackaged every time.
Good And Bad
| What Worked | What Didn’t Work |
|---|---|
| Bhediya’s comeback and energy | Lazy, trend-based humor that doesn’t land |
| Strong mythological connection (Raktbeej + Kali) | Weak first half and dragged pacing |
| CGI atmosphere during major fights | Rashmika’s underwhelming action scenes |
| The Bhediya vs. Vampire sequence, pure fun | Too many item songs killing the tone |
| Universe-building hints & mid-credit scene | Nawazuddin’s repetitive villain role |
Final Verdict About Thamma
Thamma isn’t a bad film. It’s entertaining in parts, and if you loved Bhediya, you’ll find moments worth cheering for. But it’s also frustrating; the first half feels lost, the jokes are recycled, and the writing doesn’t trust its audience’s intelligence.
Still, I’d say the second half redeems the experience a bit. Once the fangs come out and the claws hit the ground, the movie finds its rhythm.
So yeah, watch it once, especially if you’ve been following this universe. But if you’re expecting a tight script or smart horror comedy like Stree, this one’s more popcorn than plot.
And yes, don’t skip the mid-credit scene. It teases something that could actually make the next installment (Shaktishalini, maybe?) a lot more interesting.
My Rating: 3.5/5
Verdict: Fun in flashes, but bit by its own overconfidence.
