Thamma Review: Ayushmann’s Vampire Tale Lacks Bite, Struggles to Stay Alive

New Delhi | October 21, 2025 Ayushmann Khurrana’s Thamma, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, aims to mix horror, romance, and comedy within Maddock Films’ expanding supernatural universe—but the result is a lifeless blend that fails to deliver thrills or emotion. Co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Paresh Rawal, the film follows Alok, a man cursed to become a vampire-like creature known as a Baital. Despite an intriguing premise and hints of dark romance, the execution feels sluggish and hollow, leaving little to sink your teeth into. The first half crawls along, struggling to balance tonal shifts between horror and humor. While Munjya director Aditya Sarpotdar previously showcased sharp storytelling, here his narrative feels stretched thin. The supposed romantic tension between Ayushmann and Rashmika flickers inconsistently, never truly drawing the viewer in. Their chemistry lacks spark, and the love story feels perfunctory—more narrated than experienced. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s villain, Yakshasan, is another missed opportunity. Instead of a menacing or layered antagonist, he comes across as over-the-top and cartoonish—arguably the weakest villain in Maddock’s horror-comedy lineup that once thrived on quirky yet memorable foes. The much-anticipated connection to the Bhediya-Stree universe arrives awkwardly, with Varun Dhawan’s cameo feeling like a late attempt to resuscitate interest. A few clever moments—such as Paresh Rawal quipping “Ayushmann Bhava” or Abhishek Banerjee mistaking the lead for Bittu (played by Ayushmann’s brother Aparshakti)—provide brief amusement but can’t cover for the lack of depth. Technically, Thamma wavers between average and underwhelming. While the music is catchy and the visuals serviceable, the scares barely register. Rashmika looks radiant and gives her role sincerity, though her accent remains distracting. The humour feels forced, and the emotional beats never quite land. What truly sets Thamma apart from earlier hits like Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya—and not in a good way—is its lack of a strong social message. Those films tackled themes of patriarchy, environmentalism, and consent respectively. Thamma, however, seems directionless, with no moral or cultural pulse beneath its gothic exterior. Ayushmann Khurrana delivers a committed performance, but it feels like he’s carrying a story unsure of its own tone. It’s far from his confident outings in Article 15 or Dream Girl. Rashmika and Paresh Rawal add sincerity, yet even their efforts can’t inject vitality into a script that seems to have drained itself dry. Ultimately, Thamma is a stylish idea that bleeds out in execution—an ambitious addition to the Maddock horror-comedy universe that ends up toothless. Watch it only if you’re keen on following the universe’s continuity; otherwise, this vampire tale might be best left undisturbed in its cinematic coffin. Thamma Review: Vampire Tale Falls Flat Despite Star Cast Ayushmann Khurrana’s Thamma tries to blend horror, romance, and comedy but struggles to find its soul. Playing a vampire-like Baital, Ayushmann delivers a sincere performance, yet the film’s uneven pacing and half-baked romance with Rashmika Mandanna fail to engage. Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s villain feels cartoonish, while the Bhediya universe connection seems forced. Technical aspects like VFX and music are adequate but don’t elevate the story. With minimal scares, weak humor, and no clear social message, Thamma is a stylistic but hollow addition to Maddock’s horror-comedy lineup. Worth watching only for universe fans.