Maddock Films’ highly anticipated horror-comedy, Thamma, has conjured up a formidable ₹24.87 crore on its opening day, marking a powerful entry at the Diwali 2025 box office. The film, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, released on October 21, largely dominating the festive release window.
As per the latest data from trade tracker Sacnilk, Thamma enjoyed a largely unchallenged release, with the romantic drama Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat being the only other notable release. This clear field undoubtedly contributed to its strong opening, making it the first major Hindi film to arrive after the Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.
How Thamma Stacks Up Against Its Predecessors
While the ₹24.87 crore opening is impressive, it provides a interesting point of comparison within the successful Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) and recent hits.
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Vs. Stree 2 (2024): Thamma‘s opening fell short of the stellar ₹35 crore collected by Stree 2 on its first day last year.
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Vs. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (2024): The Kartik Aaryan-led film managed a bigger opening of ₹32 crore during last Diwali, despite facing direct competition from Rohit Shetty’s mega-blockbuster Singham Again.
This places Thamma‘s opening as robust, though not record-breaking for the universe. The true test will be its performance over the extended Diwali weekend, where positive word-of-mouth can propel it to greater heights.
The “Bloody Love Story” and MHCU Connect
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, Thamma is the fifth instalment in the critically acclaimed MHCU, following hits like Stree, Roohi, Bhediya, and Munjya. The film delves into the lore of vampires, a first for the universe.
The plot focuses on Ayushmann Khurrana as a man who unexpectedly turns into a vampire. His ensuing romance with Rashmika Mandanna’s character soon faces supernatural challenges, framing what the makers describe as a “bloody love story.”
In a statement to ANI, Ayushmann Khurrana clarified the uniqueness of his character, stating, “My character is neither ‘Stree’ nor ‘Bhediya’. He is not even Munjya. He is ‘Thama’ or ‘Betaal’. This is completely different. The film will take the legacy of Maddock’s Horror Comedy Universe forward.”
Early reviews have been largely positive, with critics praising the film’s blend of scares and humour, as well as the lead pair’s chemistry.
An excerpt from the Hindustan Times review highlighted, “There’s genuine chemistry between Ayushmann and Rashmika. The interval point comes at the right time, and then the second half turns into a roller coaster ride, one filled with the critical integrations with the other films of the MHCU. Weaving the story into the mythological tale of Rakhtbeej is a masterstroke.”
This integration with existing MHCU lore and its presentation as a family-friendly horror comedy seems to be working in its favour, living up to Ayushmann’s claim that “the horror has been presented in such a way that the kids can also digest it easily.”