Thamma Review: Ayushmann And Rashmika Deliver A Bloody Love Story With Heart And Howl

The Betaal Returns

The film opens with a flash of grandeur set in 323 BC, where Sikandar’s towering ego leads him to ignore a villager’s warning before entering a haunted forest. Predictably, it ends in disaster. The narrative then jumps to present-day Delhi where Alok, played by Ayushmann Khurrana, is a young reporter who has gone viral for all the wrong reasons.

Seeking escape and redemption, he ventures into the forest to film an adventure vlog. A bear attack later, he wakes up to find himself in the care of Tadaka, played by Rashmika Mandanna, a mythical being known as a Betaal.

From this moment, Thamma plays out like a twisted fable. Tadaka is drawn to Alok’s human vulnerability, while Alok finds himself fascinated and terrified by her existence. What unfolds next is a collision between worlds, between mortals and Betaals, and between love and fear. The answers to why these worlds collide form the backbone of the story, which gradually expands into something larger within the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe.

When Build-Up Becomes A Trap

There is no denying that Thamma takes its time getting to the point. The first half almost seems obsessed with setup. It builds and builds until the build-up becomes its own obstacle. The tone feels exploratory but stretched, as if the film itself is still deciding what it wants to be.

Yet within this blank space, you find occasional bursts of humour and some genuinely engaging character moments. These little sparks remind you of what Maddock’s universe does best, take an absurd situation and make it human. Even when the pace drags, the clever writing and the performers’ sincerity prevent the story from sinking completely.

The Expanding Universe That Actually Feels Thought-Out

One of the most remarkable things about this shared universe is that it feels deliberate. Unlike many cinematic universes that collapse under the weight of fan service, Maddock’s horror-comedy world feels stitched together with care. Every crossover has a reason. Every creature or character entering another story carries purpose, not just nostalgia bait.

In Thamma, that sense of interconnection shines brighter than ever. The way this film links to Bhediya and Stree 2 feels organic. You can sense the creators building something cohesive rather than tossing in cameos for claps. When Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya shows up, it is both thrilling and narratively relevant. Even if his fake beard might earn a few chuckles, his presence is perfectly timed. The scene lands right when Thamma risks losing momentum, reviving the energy like a defibrillator jolt.

It also signals how Bhediya is quietly becoming the thread tying these stories together. After Bhediya 2 was announced, the universe seems intent on giving Dhawan’s character stronger footing, and Thamma cleverly contributes to that plan.

Songs, Spirits And The Sound Of Distraction

Sachin-Jigar’s music has always been one of Maddock’s reliable weapons, but here the charm flickers inconsistently. The soundtrack tries to be breezy but mostly fades into the background. Three separate dance numbers pop up as if trying to compensate for the slow first half, but only one leaves a faint trace.

“Rahein Na Rahein Hum” has a gentle emotional texture, while the others serve as breathers without much purpose.

Nora Fatehi’s track stands out only because of its integration into the story. It does not transform the film, but at least it connects to the narrative rather than feeling shoehorned. The rest of the album struggles to find the spark that usually defines Maddock’s soundscape.

Love Among The Betaals

Despite all its mythological layering and supernatural distractions, Thamma is ultimately a love story. A bloody, eccentric, and surprisingly emotional one. This is where the film quietly redeems itself. The second half brings focus and heart. The chemistry between Khurrana and Mandanna grows believable, even though it flirts with old-school Bollywood tropes and corny one-liners.

It is the first time the Maddock universe attempts a full-fledged romantic narrative at its core, and that choice pays off. The last forty minutes hold a rhythm that was missing earlier, balancing action, humour, and emotion with new confidence.

Performances That Carry The Madness

Ayushmann Khurrana brings his usual sincerity to Alok, a man caught between worlds. There are moments when you wonder if he fits comfortably in this cinematic universe, but he grows into it. His body language in the action scenes feels sharp, and his confused charm works when the script allows him to breathe.

Rashmika Mandanna is the film’s biggest surprise. Aditya Sarpotdar seems to understand her strengths better than many directors before him. She plays Tadaka with conviction, alternating between menace and tenderness, and makes the supernatural feel strangely relatable. She looks spectacular but also acts with restraint, never letting beauty overpower the performance.

Paresh Rawal, playing Alok’s father, steals scenes every time he appears. His humour, timing, and emotional control give the film an emotional anchor. He becomes the heart of the story in many ways. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, appearing as the eccentric Yakshasan, is clearly having fun. His entry in the final act injects chaos and wit, though his tendency to overplay occasionally slips through.

The Magic Of The Visuals

If there is one department Maddock rarely falters in, it is the visual treatment. Thamma is another victory for the VFX team. The forest sequences are beautifully textured, and the Betaal transformations have an eerie charm without becoming cartoonish. The visual scale makes the world believable even when the story stumbles.

The cinematography alternates between lush greens and dark, mystical tones that highlight the contrast between humanity and myth. Whenever the narrative hits a lull, the visual craft keeps your attention. The production design and sound editing also add polish, grounding the absurdity in tactile detail.

The Bigger Picture And The Future Of MHCU

What makes Thamma fascinating is how self-aware it feels about being part of a larger puzzle. The film uses its characters and subplots to hint at what lies ahead. The crossovers are no longer quick gags. They now form the architecture of something ambitious. Maddock’s creative team seems to be playing the long game, planning for how these worlds will eventually collide with emotional payoff.

There is still room for improvement, especially in pacing and tonal balance. The scares are almost non-existent, and the humour does not always land. But even then, there is originality in how Thamma resists the urge to be formulaic. It could have easily become a convenient mix of callbacks and fan moments. Instead, it dares to stay peculiar.