Thamma: Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna Lead a Horror-Comedy Epic with Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal & Faisal Malik

Bollywood is ready to welcome another ambitious project in its ever-growing supernatural universe — Thamma, a horror-comedy laced with folklore, romance, and blood-soaked thrills. Headlined by Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, the film brings together an ensemble of powerhouse performers including Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, and Faisal Malik. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Thamma is produced under Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films, the same banner that gave audiences Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, and Stree 2.

The movie is already being touted as a game-changer in Bollywood’s horror-comedy genre, not just because of its cast but because it’s being crafted as the fifth chapter of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). With its Diwali 2025 theatrical release confirmed, Thamma is expected to set the stage ablaze.

The Premise of Thamma: A Supernatural Love Story

Unlike standard horror-comedies, Thamma is designed as a romantic supernatural thriller with elements of dark humor. At its heart lies the story of Alok Goyal (Ayushmann Khurrana), a man whose life takes a chilling turn when he becomes entangled with Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna), a woman tied to ancient myths.

The film’s antagonist is none other than Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a mythical villain who reawakens after centuries of being trapped. His emergence forces Alok into a battle not just for survival, but for love and legacy.

The plot blends:

• Folklore & mythology → Yakshasan’s backstory draws from ancient Indian legends.
• Romance with a twist → Alok’s relationship with Tadaka is as intoxicating as it is dangerous.
• Horror-comedy moments → Paresh Rawal and Faisal Malik inject satirical humor and grounded realism into this otherwise high-stakes drama.

By combining romance, myth, and supernatural spectacle, Thamma aims to go beyond slapstick horror-comedy into dark fantasy territory — a first for the MHCU.

The Stellar Cast

Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok Goyal

Known for his unconventional roles (Andhadhun, Article 15, Dream Girl), Ayushmann is set to surprise fans again. His character Alok Goyal gradually transforms — physically and psychologically — after being cursed. Early trailer glimpses show Ayushmann sporting fangs, struggling with sunlight, and fighting an inner darkness.

Rashmika Mandanna as Tadaka

South Indian superstar Rashmika plays Tadaka, the enigmatic female lead. Her role is layered: part lover, part mystical force. Tadaka is neither a stereotypical “ghost” nor just a romantic interest — she represents the “legend reborn,” linking Alok to Yakshasan.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Yakshasan

Every great horror-fantasy needs a villain, and who better than Nawazuddin? His portrayal of Yakshasan, a centuries-old supernatural entity, has already become a highlight of the trailer. With his sinister gaze and commanding screen presence, Nawazuddin is being praised for “stealing the show”.

Paresh Rawal as Ram Bajaj Goyal

Veteran actor Paresh Rawal adds gravitas and comic flair. Playing Alok’s father figure, Ram Bajaj Goyal, he embodies the “old guard” who knows more about the curse than he reveals. Expect his witty one-liners to balance the horror with humor.

Faisal Malik in a Key Supporting Role

After winning hearts in Panchayat, Faisal Malik steps into Thamma in a significant role — rumored to be a police inspector navigating between superstition and science. His natural humor is likely to shine in high-tension sequences.

Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya Cameo

As part of the MHCU crossover, Varun Dhawan appears briefly in his Bhediya avatar, connecting Thamma to the larger universe. His wolf transformation is teased as bigger and darker than before, sparking massive fan buzz.

Direction & Vision: Aditya Sarpotdar’s Challenge

Director Aditya Sarpotdar, who previously helmed Munjya (2024), is now tasked with scaling the MHCU higher. Known for balancing folklore with contemporary humor, Sarpotdar is experimenting with a “romantic vampire-mythology narrative” in Thamma.

Unlike Stree’s satirical ghost story or Bhediya’s creature comedy, Thamma promises a darker palette — complete with large-scale VFX, dramatic set designs, and gothic visual textures.

His aim: “To create a Bollywood vampire folklore film rooted in Indian myths, but styled for global appeal.”

Trailer & Teaser: First Look Buzz

The teaser and trailer, dropped in September 2025, created a storm on social media.

The teaser showed Ayushmann with blood on his face, Rashmika in a blood-red saree, and Nawazuddin emerging from shadows — instantly branded as a “bloody love story.”

The trailer expanded on this by revealing Alok’s gradual transformation, Tadaka’s mystique, and Yakshasan’s monstrous reveal.

Fan Reactions:

• “Ayushmann finally in a full commercial supernatural role — this is fresh!”
• “Nawazuddin as Yakshasan = nightmare fuel.”
• “This doesn’t look like slapstick horror. It looks like an Indian gothic fantasy.”

Critics highlighted Nawazuddin’s performance as the trailer’s best part, though some felt the humor was uneven. Still, anticipation is high for the theatrical experience.

Production Journey: From Script to Screen

• Announcement: Maddock Films revealed Thamma in late 2024 under the working title Vampires of Vijay Nagar.
• Filming Locations: Shot across Mumbai, Delhi, and Ooty — the latter chosen for its foggy forests and gothic backdrop.
• Injury Delay: Shooting briefly halted when Rashmika sustained a leg injury during a stunt sequence. Production resumed after recovery.
• Music & Dance: The film features two major songs — one a romantic ballad and another a folklore-inspired dance number.
• VFX Focus: With heavy supernatural elements, post-production is VFX-intensive, especially for Yakshasan’s design and Alok’s transformation.

The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) Connection

Thamma is officially the fifth chapter in the MHCU, following:

• Stree (2018)
• Roohi (2021)
• Bhediya (2022)
• Munjya (2024)
• Stree 2 (2024)

Each film connects through characters, cameos, or post-credit scenes. With Varun Dhawan’s wolf cameo, Thamma ties into the same world where spirits, curses, and mythical creatures coexist.

This approach has made MHCU India’s first shared horror-comedy cinematic universe, mirroring Hollywood’s Marvel-style storytelling but rooted in Indian folklore.