The expectations for Thamma were sky-high. Starring two of the biggest names in Indian cinema, Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, and coming from the Maddock Films house—the same banner that delivered the genre-defining horror-comedy Stree—many fans hoped for another spectacular blend of laughs and scares. The box office figures for the opening day even suggested a strong start for the film, according to reports like this one: Thamma Box Office Day 1 Strong Start. However, after sitting through this crowded, noisy, and surprisingly unfunny affair, it’s clear that high hopes and a big opening weekend aren't enough to save a poorly written film.
The most telling sign of the movie’s comedic failure is perhaps the easiest to miss: the biggest, most genuinely loud laughs are reserved for a brief walk-on part played by Abhishek Bannerjee. When a leading star cast struggles to raise a chuckle, and a character who appears for mere moments is the funniest person on screen, the problem lies not with the actors, but with the material they are given.
The Maddock Formula is Wearing Thin
Thamma is another attempt by the filmmakers to cash in on the successful formula they perfected with Stree: a mix of the natural and the supernatural, spiced with cheeky humor, inside jokes about the film industry, and plenty of meta-references. But repetition is the enemy of innovation, and the law of diminishing returns has well and truly set in here. This time, the movie goes for overkill, throwing in not just one but two major item numbers, and cramming the screen with an all-star cast, including Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, and a host of mythological creatures like betaals (vampires) and bhediyaas (werewolves).
The director, Aditya Sarpotdar, previously delivered relatively energetic and enjoyable films like Munjya and Kakuda. Sadly, in Thamma, that spark is lost. The movie feels overstuffed, written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Afrun Falara. The crowded canvas, which is meant to be engaging, ends up being exhausting, leaving the viewer with ringing ears from the ear-splitting background music and eyes glazed over from the lack of compelling content.
Earlier successful films in this genre, like Stree and even the less effective Bhediya, succeeded because they kept the action "silly and light-on-its-feet." Rajkummar Rao is a master at delivering this kind of natural, effortless comedy. Even Varun Dhawan, in Bhediya, managed to poke fun at himself and avoid being overly serious—exactly what a film this absurd needs. Thamma misses this crucial element. It trades lightness for heaviness, replacing smart, quick-witted dialogue with forced set-pieces and a loud musical score that tries to cover up the dullness of the writing.
The Unfunny Leads and Lack of Chemistry
The biggest letdown is watching the star duo, Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, struggle with their roles. Ayushmann, playing Alok Goyal, is introduced as a rather aimless character wandering in a jungle just to create a viral social media reel. His encounter with a fearsome brown bear leads him straight into the arms of the mysterious Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna).
The movie immediately tries to signal that Tadaka is not a normal human. She stares intensely, and soon, a group of heavily built men in black arrive, clearly meaning harm. We are meant to be intrigued, but the setup falls flat within the first few minutes, and our interest begins to slide backward.
The main plot is a confusing jumble of lore about a local "parjaati" (community) called 'betal,' a desi take on the vampire myth. These creatures supposedly subsist only on the blood of non-humans and possess the power of immortality. If a human falls in love with one, they’ll quickly discover the terrifying secrets, including the unconventional diet.
Ayushmann Khurrana, who is known for his unique script choices and relatable acting, tries his utmost to land the jokes, even with a pair of prosthetic pointy fangs adorning his mouth on occasion. But he is never funny enough. The attempts at humor feel strenuous and manufactured, rather than organically flowing from the character or the situation. Similarly, Rashmika Mandanna’s performance, while visually striking—her styling, with thick kajal, sharp contour, and a cool bustier, is strong—fails to generate any significant heat or spark with her co-star. The chemistry is lacking, which is a major problem for a film centered on a pair of "star-crossed lovers."
Overcrowding the Canvas
The film’s biggest flaw is its inability to focus and deliver a sharp narrative. The script is too busy creating an entire supernatural world, complete with convoluted rules and too many side characters, which only adds to the heaviness. In this crowded landscape, other recent genre releases, which have managed to surprise and delight audiences, highlight just how much Thamma falters. For example, the unexpected success of films like Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is Surprise demonstrates that original or well-executed concepts still win out, regardless of the star power.
Even the legendary Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is meant to provide the gravitas and menace in the titular role of Thamma, is wasted. He is reduced to little more than a character with flashing red eyes and a constant snarl, lacking the kind of layered performance he is capable of.
Veteran actor Paresh Rawal, playing Goyal Sr., Ayushmann’s father, adds to the general sense of excessive weight the film carries. He does manage to deliver one clever, brief moment of meta-humor with the line "Ayushmann bhava," a phrase we are meant to smile at, but even this momentary smartness is quickly drowned out by the noise and the barrage of tired jokes like 'Vikaspuri ke wolverines' and 'Sarojini Nagar ke saste Draculas'. This contrast with other recent successful cinematic ventures, perhaps even those discussed in reports like the K Ramp Box Office Report, shows that audience fatigue with this brand of noisy comedy is real.
When compared to the buzz surrounding other recent cinematic discussions, such as the Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat Movie Review, it's clear that Thamma lacks the quality needed to become a memorable hit. Furthermore, with the supernatural thriller genre being constantly refreshed by new entries, as seen in news about films like New Supernatural Thriller Weapons Comes, Thamma needed to be much sharper to stand out.
The Verdict
In one scene, a character in Thamma says, "bas kar bhai, bahut ho gaya" (Stop, brother, that's enough). This line feels less like dialogue and more like a direct plea from the audience to the filmmakers. This is a film that is simply too much. Too noisy, too crowded, too reliant on a fading formula, and ultimately, too dull. The movie has all the ingredients—a big star cast, a successful production house, and a popular genre—but the mix is all wrong.
The film rates a modest 2.5 stars. It’s a sad report that this comedy fails to be funny, and what remains is a confusing, over-produced supernatural romp that will likely be quickly forgotten.
Thamma Movie Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, Faisal Malik, Sathyaraj, Geeta Aggarwal
Thamma Movie Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
Thamma Movie Rating: 2.5 stars
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