For years, the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe has been giving us laughs alongside chills with hits like Stree and Bhediya. Now, they’re brewing something new—a “bloody love story” that promises to steal your heart, quite literally. Welcome to the world of Thamma, where vampire mythology meets romantic comedy, creating what might be Bollywood’s most unique pairing this Diwali season.
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Thamma represents the fifth installment in Maddock’s successful horror-comedy franchise and marks the first on-screen collaboration between Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna. The film arrives in theaters on October 21, 2025, perfectly timed for the Diwali holiday weekend.
What is Thamma About?
The recently released trailer introduces us to Alok Goyal (Ayushmann Khurrana), an ordinary man whose life takes a supernatural turn when he accidentally unleashes an ancient being. This encounter transforms him into a Betaal—a vampire-like creature from Indian folklore destined to protect humanity.
The plot thickens as Alok discovers his connection to Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna), a centuries-old vampire with a tragic past. Their burgeoning romance faces threats from multiple fronts: from the powerful, rebellious vampire Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) who has turned against humanity, to Alok’s own family ties represented by his father (Paresh Rawal).
The trailer balances supernatural thrills with characteristic Maddock humor—showcasing Alok’s awkward adjustment to vampire life, complete with complaints about missing his favorite rajma chawal. This blend of genuine emotion and comedy sets Thamma apart from previous entries in the franchise.
Meet the Cast and Characters
Thamma brings together an impressive ensemble cast that blends established stars with exciting new additions to the Maddock universe:
- Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok Goyal: A historian turned reluctant vampire who must balance his new supernatural reality with his human connections and emerging feelings for Tadaka.
- Rashmika Mandanna as Tadaka: A mysterious centuries-old vampire with a tragic love story that becomes intertwined with Alok’s destiny. This marks Mandanna’s debut in the horror-comedy universe.
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Yakshasan: The primary antagonist—a thousand-year-old vampire who was originally created to protect humans but now threatens humanity.
- Paresh Rawal as Ram Bajaj Goyal: Alok’s father, who provides comic relief while grappling with his son’s supernatural transformation.
The film also features special appearances including Varun Dhawan reprising his role as Bhediya, further expanding the connected universe.
Thamma’s Place in the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe
Thamma continues Maddock Films’ successful formula of mining Indian folklore for supernatural inspiration while adding its own unique twist. Here’s how it fits into the expanding universe:
| Film | Release Year | Supernatural Entity | Core Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stree | 2018 | Female Ghost | Horror-Comedy |
| Bhediya | 2022 | Werewolf | Horror-Comedy-Adventure |
| Munjya | 2024 | Folkloric Spirit | Horror-Comedy |
| Stree 2 | 2024 | Female Ghost | Horror-Comedy |
| Thamma | 2025 | Vampire (Betaal) | Romantic Horror-Comedy |
Director Aditya Sarpotdar has emphasized that Thamma represents a evolution for the franchise, calling it “not a horror-comedy like earlier installments but rather a romantic comedy infused with supernatural and mythical elements”. This shift toward romance while maintaining supernatural elements offers something fresh while building on established universe lore.
The connection between films is further strengthened through cameos and teasers. Thamma was initially teased in the post-credit scene of Stree 2, and Varun Dhawan’s cameo as Bhediya confirms the shared universe continuity.
The Director’s Vision and Production
Aditya Sarpotdar, who previously directed the Marathi horror-comedy Zombivli and the Hindi film Munjya, brings his experience with supernatural storytelling to Thamma. He comes from a family of filmmakers, being the fourth generation in his family to work in the industry.
The production faced some challenges, including a delay when Rashmika Mandanna injured her leg during filming. Principal photography spanned multiple locations including Mumbai, where sets resembling Delhi neighborhoods were constructed, and the forests of Ooty in the Nilgiri hills.
The filmmakers have described Thamma as reviving a “forgotten legend from our folklore”, continuing Maddock’s tradition of blending supernatural plots with social commentary and Indian cultural elements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is Thamma releasing?
Thamma is scheduled to release worldwide on October 21, 2025, coinciding with the Diwali festival period.
2. Who are the main cast members of Thamma?
The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the antagonist and Paresh Rawal in a key supporting role.
3. Is Thamma connected to Stree and Bhediya?
Yes, Thamma is the fifth installment in the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe and features connections to previous films, including a cameo by Varun Dhawan as Bhediya.
4. What does ‘Thamma’ mean?
While the exact meaning hasn’t been officially explained, the title likely references the supernatural and romantic themes of the film, possibly relating to the concept of destined lovers or supernatural forces in Indian folklore.
5. Is Thamma a horror movie or a love story?
Director Aditya Sarpotdar has described Thamma as primarily a romantic comedy with supernatural and mythical elements, making it the first true love story in the Maddock horror-comedy universe.
Join the Supernatural Romance
Thamma represents an exciting evolution for Indian genre cinema—blending vampire mythology with romantic comedy in a way we haven’t seen before in Bollywood. With its compelling cast, fresh take on folklore, and the proven track record of the Maddock team, this film promises to deliver both laughs and genuine emotion alongside its supernatural thrills.
As Ayushmann’s Alok discovers in the trailer, some transformations are messy, complicated, and downright inconvenient—but often lead to the most compelling stories. This Diwali, get ready for a love story that’s literally to die for.
Will you be watching Thamma this Diwali? Share your thoughts on Maddock’s latest supernatural venture on social media using #Thamma.
