Thamma Movie Review – A Diwali Dhamaka in the Maddock Horror-Verse!

Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
Writers: Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, Arun Falara
Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, Sathyaraj, Fasial Malik, Geeta Aggarwal, Rachit Singh
Duration: 149 Minutes
Rating: 4

Imagine if fear made you laugh, and folklore touched your heart? Thamma is that one fearless, disordered storm where myth, heart, and humor mix. Produced by Maddock Films and directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, it's not just content with broadening the horror-verse — it changes the rules of the game. The movie is a mix of fun and fright, hence, it carries the Maddock legacy forward with great elan. 

The main character is Alok, a small-town journalist played by Ayushmann Khurrana, whose dull life takes a wild turn after a strange encounter in the woods. What starts off as a light-hearted and witty story soon becomes a powerful, soul-stirring personal journey. Khurrana perfectly represents an average person caught in between comedy and disorder, handing over the control from one to another with great ease. Rashmika Mandanna on the other hand delivers with a solid confidence and clear feeling, hence, she escapes the trap of being stereotyped and gives a fierce yet controlled performance. 

The world Thamma creates is quite real and living — full of curses, promises, and ancient destinies. The movie doesn’t talk about its mythos; it makes you experience it. Hidden in the magical woods are the guardians of the forgotten lore who are slowly waking, and they are whispering the long-buried secrets. Underneath all this world-building is the emotional heart of the story — a story about the struggle between reason and instinct, good and evil, human and non-human. 

After the turbulent middle part, the film goes off with a bang — both metaphorically and literally. The Alok vs. Bhediya battle is a joy to the eye and can be highly exciting for the fans, with amazing VFX and soundscape at the top level. However, behind the fight and the mess, there is the search for the answer to a deeper question. What is the real reason connecting these two beings? I would say that Maddock horror-verse fans start immediately drawing theories on which they are absolutely right. 

Sathyaraj is back as Elvis, the weird paranormal genius called The Hand of God, which is very hard to resist. He doesn’t become merely the comic relief any more; rather, he is the silent planner of something bigger. In a very important scene, he refers to a close link between Alok’s Betaal and Bhediya – the bond that goes way back to Sar Kata’s Stree 2. 

And when Sar Kata makes a comeback, it is a bone-breaking reminder that the dark side is spreading in this interconnected world. Thamma, instead of forcing its universe-building, likes doing it. The links to Stree 2 seem natural, thus, giving the franchise not only an extension but also a living mythology. 

The fight between Bhediya and Thamma is thrilling — a storm of fury, power, and buried truths. It’s not just action; it’s a clash of destinies. Bhediya roars with instinct, Thamma counters with chilling precision. The stakes feel enormous. By the end, you’re left breathless and full of theories.

The supporting actors' work is full of life and energy. Paresh Rawal is not only funny but also warm as Alok’s conservative and tradition-loving father, which makes him the emotional anchor of the movie. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who portrays a quiet evil, turns his very subtle and restrained intrigue into a deeply thought-provoking and powerful piece on seduction and heritage. Slow, subtle, unforgettable, his performance stays with you for a long time. 

And what about Nora Fatehi? Her highly anticipated cameo, instead of being simply a glamorous detour, gains narrative weight and becomes nostalgic. It serves as a bridge between Thamma and Stree in a way that is very surprising for the viewer and is perfectly timed. It is not fan service; it is a payoff. 

The promotional activities of Thamma revolved around grandeur and music. However, its soundtrack is more than just an easy-listener. Every track is like a step in the storyline, elevating the mood and the characters rather than breaking the flow. Being true to the Maddock tradition, the songs are an integral part of the narrative's rhythm. 

In the end, Thamma is a victorious mix of horror, folklore, and feeling — a folk-fantasy that doesn't conform to any box. Aditya Sarpotdar leaves the audience with something not only stunningly beautiful on the outside but also very heartfelt on the inside as he blends India's mythic soul with contemporary storytelling flair. Watch it for the thrills, stay for the myth, and leave with the understanding that the Maddock Horror-Verse hasn't just expanded — it's transformed into something a lot more untamed.