Thamma Review: Horror-Comedy Without Bite
Maddock Films ventures back into its horror-comedy universe with Thamma, starring Rashmika Mandanna in the lead alongside Ayushmann Khurrana.
Story:
The film opens in 323 BC with Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) killing Alexander the Great. Jumping to the present, Alok Goel (Ayushmann Khurrana), a TV reporter, ventures into a forest, narrowly escapes a bear attack, and is saved by Thadaka (Rashmika Mandanna), a forest-dwelling betaala—a blood-sucking immortal committed to doing good.
Though forbidden from forming human bonds, Thadaka develops a connection with Alok. After a tragic accident, Alok becomes a betaala, retaining his memories and immortality. The rest of the story follows his struggle as an immortal and the adversaries he must face.
Performances:
Ayushmann is effortless, while Rashmika dominates as Thadaka, blending fierceness with glamour, though her modern wardrobe sometimes clashes with her forest-dwelling character. Paresh Rawal brings humor, and Faisal Malik is solid in his supporting role. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s villain lacks depth and direction, reducing the stakes.
Special appearances by Malaika Arora and Nora Fatehi spice up the musical sequences, while cameos by Sathyaraj, Abhishek Banerjee, and Varun Dhawan tie the film to the larger Maddock universe.
Technical Aspects:
Sachin-Jigar’s music is catchy, with the Kehdo Tujhe remix standing out. Saurabh Goswami’s cinematography and Hemanti Sarkar’s editing maintain a dark, playful forest aesthetic. The CGI, production values, and graphics are competent and polished.
Highlights:
- Rashmika Mandanna’s commanding performance
- High production quality
Drawbacks:
- Weak, underdeveloped villain
- Forced comedy and scenes
- Lack of emotional resonance
Analysis:
The title Thamma, inspired by Ashwatthama from the Mahabharata, hints at immortality, but the film barely explores the mythological depth. Instead, it leans on horror-comedy tropes, using the immortal angle more as a plot device than a thematic centerpiece.
Fans of Maddock Films’ previous works (Stree, Bhediya) will enjoy the familiar humor, quirky characters, and supernatural elements. New viewers may find it confusing, inconsistent, and sometimes overwhelming due to reliance on franchise context.
Conclusion:
Thamma adds a noteworthy entry to Rashmika Mandanna’s career and the Maddock horror-comedy lineup. While entertaining for existing fans, it offers zero genuine horror and relies heavily on forced humor. For newcomers, it may feel chaotic and puzzling, leaving them unsure whether to laugh or scratch their heads.
Bottomline: Engaging but not thrilling
