Cast: Rashmika Mandanna, Ayushmann Khurrana, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, Abhishek Banerjee, Satyaraj, Faisal Malik, Varun Dhawan
Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
Producers: Dinesh Vijan & Amar Kaushik
Music: Sachin–Jigar
Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya
Release Date: 21st October 2025
Introduction: My First Detailed Bollywood Review – And What Better Start Than MHCU
This is my first elaborate review of a Bollywood film on my blog, and I couldn’t have picked a better banner to begin with—Maddock Films, the studio that has revitalized India’s horror-comedy genre and created a full-fledged Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU).
“Thamma”, the fifth installment in the MHCU, is fast-paced, crisp, filled with clever twists, and refreshingly free from dull moments. It’s a complete entertainer from start to finish.
While you can enjoy it as a standalone film, watching the MHCU in order—Stree → Bhediya → Munjya → Stree 2 → Thamma—makes the callbacks, cameos, and storyline interlinks far more enjoyable.
A Story Rooted in Indian Folklore: Reimagining the Legend of Betaal
The film draws from the ancient Indian folklore of Betaal, the blood-feeding beings famously known through “Vikram-Betaal”. Maddock gives this age-old myth a modern, humorous spin.
The opening sequence—where Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui in peak comedic form) drains the blood of Sikandar the Great—is a perfect MHCU-style start. Do NOT miss it.
From here, we travel into forests protected by the Betaal tribe, and a charming, chaotic love story begins between Alok (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna).
Fun, Chaos, and Comedy: Highlights and Scene Stealers
Tadaka’s Introduction & Her Raw Power
Alok sees Tadaka for the first time after a bear attack leaves him injured. Her fierce howl that shatters a glass pane instantly sets the tone—this is no ordinary woman.
The Hilarious Meet-the-Parents Scene
Paresh Rawal (as a quintessential miser) and Geeta Agrawal bring fantastic comic timing when Alok introduces Tadaka as an “orphan girl named Tarika.”
These scenes are laugh-out-loud funny.
Tadaka’s Eating Habits
Her craving for dog and cat meat, nearly eating Alok’s pet, and finally gulping wine assuming it’s blood—pure gold.
The dance sequence with Malaika Arora that follows is the cherry on top.
A Strong Female Lead
Like previous MHCU films (Stree, Bhediya, Munjya), the heroine is strong, central, and written with depth—something I truly appreciate.
Faisal Malik: The Panchayat-Fame Cop Who Is Also a Betaal Guardian
One of the most refreshing additions to Thamma is Faisal Malik, beloved for his role as Prahlad Pandey in the hit series Panchayat.
In this film, he plays a police inspector with a supernatural twist — he is a Betaal assigned to guard humanity.
His mission is simple but critical:
to prevent rogue Betaals from infiltrating society and harming humans.
If I had to give an analogy:
He’s like an internal affairs officer of the supernatural world — part vampire, part ranger, part watchdog — keeping peace between humans and his own kind.
When he identifies Tadaka as a Betaal, it triggers an emotional turn in the story as she is forced to leave Alok’s home and return to the forest.
Though his screen time is brief, his presence is powerful and adds gravitas as well as humor to the narrative.
The Interval Twist: Alok Turns Into a Betaal
The lovely romantic track “Rahein Na Rahein Hum” by Soumyadeep Sarkar beautifully captures Alok’s loneliness when Tadaka is made to leave him.
Right at the interval — bam! — Alok himself transforms into a Betaal.
This sets the stage for a hilarious, chaotic, and action-filled second half.
Post-Interval Rollercoaster: Emotion, Humor & Family Drama
Alok’s struggle to accept his new Betaal identity becomes both emotional and funny.
Tadaka guides him through this transition, while Paresh Rawal’s reactions elevate the comedy to another level.
Abhishek Banerjee, Jana, and the MHCU Crossovers
Abhishek Banerjee returns as Jana, the character that ties multiple MHCU films together:
- Stree
- Bhediya
- Stree 2
- Thamma
His accidental reference to Alok as “Bittu” (the character played by Aparshakti Khurana, Ayushmann’s real brother) is comic brilliance.
Satyaraj, reprising his role from Munjya, also enriches the MHCU fabric.
Bhediya’s Entry – A Theatre-Exploding Moment
The moment Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya appears, the theatre I was in — Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai — erupted into whistles, claps, and cheers.
The confrontation between:
Alok (the new Betaal) vs Bhediya (still recovering from Stree 2)
is thrilling, comedic, and a treat for franchise followers.
Tadaka jumping in to rescue her Betaal-lover adds a sweet touch.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Thamma: English-Speaking Menace
The final act is carried gloriously by Nawazuddin, whose Hindi-English blended dialogues are wildly entertaining.
His attempt to kill Tadaka and Alok feels genuinely dangerous — until divine intervention empowers Alok to rise, defeat Yakshasan, and become Thamma, the new leader of the Betaal tribe.
Final Twist: Sarkata Returns
In true MHCU fashion, the movie leaves us with a cliffhanger —
Sarkata (from Stree 2) breaks in to rescue Yakshasan.
A clear sign that Maddock is building toward an even bigger cinematic crossover.
What I Loved About Thamma & Maddock Production
1. Indian Folklore Meets Modern Cinema
Turning childhood warnings like
“Bargad ke ped ke neeche shaam ko mat baithna”
into cinematic folklore is Maddock’s special skill.
2. Low Budget with High Return
One of the most impressive aspects of the MHCU—including Thamma—is Maddock Films’ ability to deliver high-impact entertainment on surprisingly modest budgets.
Instead of relying on extravagant VFX or over-the-top action, the film banks on:
- tight writing
- sharp humor
- folklore-driven storytelling
- talented ensemble casting
- clever crossovers
This creative approach means the studio doesn’t overspend on spectacle; they invest in story and performance, which ultimately delivers excellent box-office returns.
It’s refreshing to see a film that proves blockbuster success doesn’t require ₹200–300 crore budgets—just smart ideas, strong characters, and consistent world-building.
3. Strong Performances
- Rashmika Mandanna delivers one of her best performances in Hindi cinema.
- Ayushmann Khurrana fits perfectly into MHCU’s quirky framework.
- Nawazuddin Siddiqui is effortlessly hilarious.
- Paresh Rawal is perfectly cast as the stingy, confused father.
4. Music & Dance
- Malaika Arora’s dance
- Nora Fatehi’s appearance as “Chanderi resident”
- Rashmika’s post-credit performance
- The melodic, soothing “Rahein Na Rahein Hum”
5. Stunning Lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya
Especially my favorite lines from “Tum Mere Na Huye”:
इतने गये गुज़रे भी हम नहीं, के गिर के संभल न सके
आदत थे तुम मेरी किस्मत नहीं, के जिसको बदल न सके
भर न सके वक़्त के साथ जो, यह ज़ख्म उतना भी गहरा नहीं
टूटा है दिल फिर भी इतना नहीं के, जुड़ेगा दुबारा नहीं
Ratings
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | ⭐️ 8/10 |
| Performance | ⭐️ 7.5/10 |
| Storyline | ⭐️ 9/10 |
| Screenplay | ⭐️ 9/10 |
| Direction | ⭐️ 9/10 |
| Song & Dance | ⭐️ 7.5/10 |
| Action | ⭐️ 8/10 |
Final Verdict
“Thamma” is a richly entertaining addition to the MHCU — rooted in folklore, packed with humor, enhanced by great performances, and full of interconnected universe-building moments.
If you’re a fan of the MHCU, this is unmissable.
If you’re new, it’s a great entry point with enough comedy, drama, and mythology to keep you hooked.
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