Ayushmann–Rashmika Romantic Horror 'Thamma' Hits Theatres Today
This Diwali, Bollywood fans are sinking their teeth into a brand-new blend of romance, humour, and horror as Thamma hits theatres nationwide today.
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, the Hindi-language romantic comedy horror stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Paresh Rawal in pivotal roles.
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Written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Falara, Thamma blends humour, mythology, and romance into a supernatural narrative that explores India’s mythical vampire legacy — the vetalas.
Ayushmann Khurrana plays Alok Goyal, a historian who learns he’s part of a secret lineage of Indian vampires. His transformation into a vetala thrusts him into a hidden war between his kind and a rogue bloodline led by Yakshashan, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a menacing turn. Torn between his newfound powers and his humanity, Alok must face his destiny while rekindling his complicated bond with Tadaka, portrayed by Rashmika Mandanna, a fierce woman from his past who holds secrets of her own.
Paresh Rawal joins as Ram Bajaj Goyal, Alok’s father, while veteran actor Sathyaraj appears as Elvis Karim Prabhakar, adding gravitas to the story’s supernatural undercurrent. The ensemble also features Faisal Malik, Geeta Aggarwal, and Rachit Singh in key supporting roles.
As the fifth installment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, Thamma carries forward the legacy of Stree, Roohi, Bhediya, and Stree 2.
Fans of the franchise are in for a treat as Varun Dhawan makes a cameo appearance, reprising his role as Bhaskar from Bhediya (2022). Actress Aneet Padda also reprises her role as Shakti Shalini.
Adding glamour to the narrative, Nora Fatehi and Malaika Arora feature in special dance numbers — “Dilbar Ki Aankhon Ka” and “Poison Baby,” respectively. Director Amar Kaushik even makes a surprise appearance in the latter track.
The project was initially announced in June 2024 under the working title Vampires of Vijay Nagar, teased in the post-credit scene of Stree 2. By September 2024, the title was officially changed to Thamma.
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Filming began in December 2024 at Chitra Studios, Mumbai, before moving to Film City in March 2025, where massive sets depicting Delhi’s streets and ancient graveyards were built. The crew later travelled to Ooty, Nilgiri Hills, and Dodabetta for forest sequences.
Despite a brief delay due to Rashmika Mandanna’s injury, the team wrapped up by mid-2025. Ayushmann, Rashmika, and Nawazuddin completed their portions by May, followed by the high-energy song shoots with Arora and Fatehi in July.
Composers Sachin–Jigar have delivered one of the most talked-about soundtracks of 2025. Released under Universal Music India and T-Series, the four-song album features lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya and has already gone viral across social media platforms.
The film’s promotional campaign generated immense hype. The first-look posters dropped on August 18, followed by the teaser ‘World of Thamma’ on August 19. The trailer, unveiled at Mumbai’s iconic Bandra Fort on September 26, offered a mix of dark humour, mysticism, and visual grandeur.
