Thamma Movie Review: Ayushmann, Rashmika Shine in a Rushed Horror Ride

Plot Overview

• Alook Goel (Ayushmann Khurrana) finds himself stranded in a dense forest after an adventure trip goes terribly wrong. He’s attacked by a wild bear and left severely injured, only to be rescued and cared for by Taadka (Rashmika Mandanna).
• However, Goel’s feelings for Taadka soon put both their lives in jeopardy. As his affection deepens, dark secrets surrounding Taadka unfold — and these revelations form the core of Thamma’s storyline.

Performances

• Ayushmann Khurrana makes his debut in Maddock Films’ expanding Horror-Comedy Universe through Thamma. He plays a vampire-like entity known as “Bhetal.” Ayushmann fits the role naturally, portraying the confused and emotionally vulnerable man in the first half with ease.
• His light-hearted comic timing and romantic awkwardness work well initially, though the character’s progression later feels slightly repetitive. Still, his transformation into Bhetal is convincing and effective enough for the film’s tone.
• Rashmika Mandanna essays the role of Taadka, a character that balances innocence and wisdom. She portrays the mystical side convincingly and handles emotional scenes with composure. Her chemistry in romantic moments feels organic, making her performance an overall strong addition to the film.

Direction and Analysis

• Director Aditya Sarpotdar helms Thamma as both an origin story and a world-building chapter within Maddock’s horror-comedy universe. The film blends mythological fantasy, drama, and romance, all while setting up connections to other stories in the franchise.
• The narrative starts engagingly, wasting no time in diving into the central conflict. The bear attack sequence and Taadka’s entrance are gripping and visually impressive. As her backstory unfolds, curiosity builds around her world and hidden powers.
• However, the romantic subplot between Goel and Taadka develops too quickly. The sudden declaration of love and the shift in tone feel abrupt, not allowing enough emotional depth for the audience to invest fully in their relationship.
• Despite that, the film maintains a good pace and continues to intrigue viewers through the first half. By the interval, the mystery surrounding Taadka and the supernatural realm keeps audiences hooked.
• In the second half, the spotlight moves to Bhetal’s origins and the broader universe connection. The crossover moment between Bhetal and Thodelu (from Bhediya) will definitely thrill longtime fans. For newcomers, the sequence remains clear and entertaining, even without deep familiarity with the franchise.
• The main conflict emerges toward the end, as the demonic Yaksha escapes captivity. However, this showdown is resolved too quickly, leaving an impression that the story rushes to conclude while teasing future instalments. Universe followers may enjoy this setup, but standalone viewers could find it slightly unfulfilling.

Overall Impression

• Thamma juggles two parallel tracks — one being the personal journey of its lead characters, and the other building the grand mythology of the Maddock horror universe. This approach sometimes dilutes the emotional weight of the central story, trading depth for expansion.
• Nevertheless, it stands as a visually polished and conceptually intriguing entry in the series. Universe loyalists will likely appreciate the connections and lore, while casual viewers might find it decent but not extraordinary.

Supporting Cast

• The film’s supporting ensemble is relatively small. Paresh Rawal delivers a dependable performance as always, adding credibility to his role. On the other hand, Nawazuddin Siddiqui feels underutilized — his character is brief, and the pre-release hype around his appearance doesn’t quite pay off.
• Other minor roles are handled well, and Varun Dhawan’s cameo appearance is a neat surprise, adding a touch of continuity for fans of Bhediya.
• Music and Technical Aspects
• The music by Sachin-Jigar is melodious in its original form, though the dubbed version loses some charm due to less impactful lyrics. The background score, however, strongly supports the supernatural tone.
• Cinematography stands out — the visuals beautifully capture the eerie yet enchanting atmosphere of the jungle setting. Editing is crisp, keeping the runtime lean. The Telugu dubbing, however, lacks some of the fun and flavor of the original Hindi writing.

Highlights

1. Engaging story concept and universe background
2. Strong lead performances
3. Fast-paced and visually rich execution
4. High production values and technical finesse

Drawbacks

1. Emotional arcs feel hurried
2. Universe-building overshadows core narrative
3. Limited exploration of the mythological layers

Final Verdict

• Thamma works well as a stylish addition to Maddock’s Horror Comedy Universe, filled with fantasy and folklore. While it may not emotionally connect with all viewers, it successfully expands the franchise’s mythos and delivers enough intrigue to look forward to future parts.

The world of a forgotten legend from our folklore, #Thamma 🦇 is now yours..🥹❤️

I can’t wait for you all to watch Thamma in theatres this diwali.. releasing on 21st October ✨

Yeh Diwali, Thamma Wali.. ❤️❤️

🔗 - https://t.co/A0zWnT6wC4#ThammaThisDiwali #ThammaOn21stOct… pic.twitter.com/4CZeZpDYa9

— Rashmika Mandanna (@iamRashmika) September 26, 2025