Thamma Trailer Ayushmann & Rashmika’s vampire comedy divides fans

Mumbai, September 27: A vampire walked into Bandra last evening. Or at least, that’s what the makers of Thamma wanted the crowd to believe as they dropped the trailer of their latest film, a supernatural romance featuring Ayushmann Khurrana as a bloodthirsty creature who also happens to be obsessed with rajma-chawal. Sitting inside Maddock Films’ now well-established Horror-Comedy Universe (MHCU), Thamma has already split fans into two camps: those ready to embrace another spooky comedy this Diwali, and those rolling their eyes at the visual effects and recycled humor.

A Universe That Keeps Expanding

For seven years, Maddock has been trying to do what few in Bollywood have dared: stitch together a shared universe. Stree (2018) was the first gamble, a horror-comedy that surprised everyone by turning into both a hit and a cultural reference point. Then came Roohi, Bhediya, and most recently Munjya. Each added a new supernatural creature to the mix, and each hinted at connections that made fans start drawing parallels to Marvel-style crossovers.

Thamma is the fifth chapter, and this time the monster is a vampire. The trailer paints Khurrana’s character as both terrifying and laughably ordinary, a man who slurps blood but also worries about his next meal of rajma-chawal. Opposite him is Rashmika Mandanna, playing Tadaka, a mysterious woman with powers of her own. Mandanna couldn’t make it to the Mumbai launch and sent in a video message instead, calling the role a “privilege,” but her absence didn’t stop the cheers when her face appeared on screen.

And then came the real twist: Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya. His brief cameo at the end of the trailer set social media alight. No goofy werewolf jokes this time. Instead, he appears darker, meaner, and more dangerous. Some fans called it an “upgrade,” comparing it to his earlier, tamer look.

The Trailer That Divided Viewers

If Maddock hoped for unanimous excitement, they didn’t quite get it. By Friday morning, X (formerly Twitter) was buzzing with mixed reactions. Many praised the scale, the fresh idea of centering a vampire story in small-town India, and Khurrana’s effortless knack for looking ordinary in extraordinary situations.

But the criticism came fast. “Weak VFX,” “too much revealed,” and “lame meme humor” were among the most common complaints. A few even said the teaser that dropped earlier this month was more intriguing than the full trailer. As one user put it: “Why would you show all your cards before the release?”

That sentiment was echoed in early reviews. Moneycontrol pointed to “forced jokes” that fell flat, while Mint noted that many viewers were willing to forgive flaws if they bought into the quirky love story at the center. The divide was clear: those who love the Maddock formula are ready to roll with it; those who don’t are running out of patience.

Standing In The Shadow Of Stree

The comparisons are inevitable. Stree worked because it was smart, sharp, and genuinely unsettling in parts. Its social commentary gave it an edge, making it more than just a genre experiment. Bhediya, despite its ambition, was dinged for leaning too heavily on CGI. Munjya fared better but still didn’t replicate the magic of Stree.

Now, Thamma faces the tough task of proving that this universe hasn’t already exhausted its best tricks. The vampire genre is tricky. Hollywood has run it into the ground with endless variations, from sparkly immortals to gothic predators. Maddock’s challenge is to give it an Indian flavor that feels new.

Khurrana may be their trump card here. His track record has always been about taking risks, whether it was a sperm donor, a man with erectile dysfunction, or a cross-dresser, and somehow making it look natural. A vampire could be his next gamble. But unlike his earlier choices, this one has the weight of a franchise on its shoulders.

The Diwali Stakes

Releasing on 21 October, right before Diwali, Thamma lands in the middle of Bollywood’s most competitive box office season. Big-budget action films and family dramas usually dominate the holiday period. Maddock, though, is betting that horror-comedy has carved out enough of a niche to pull in crowds who want a little spook with their festival laughter.

For Khurrana, this is more than just another role. After a string of inconsistent performances at the box office, he badly needs a hit that cements him back in the mainstream spotlight. Mandanna, on the other hand, is already a pan-India star. For her, the film is about expanding her Hindi film presence without losing her southern stronghold.

The Road Ahead

In the coming weeks, Maddock will push the promotional machinery harder. Expect interviews, city tours, and more teasers to keep conversations alive. The real test, however, will be word of mouth once audiences actually watch the film.

Right now, Thamma sits in a strange place: intriguing enough to keep people talking, flawed enough to make others skeptical. For Maddock, the gamble is not just about this film but about whether the MHCU still has the fuel to run. If Thamma clicks, the universe stays alive and audiences might finally get that long-promised crossover. If it stumbles, fatigue could set in fast.

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Ayesha Khan

Entertainment Correspondent – Ayesha@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers films, television, streaming, and celebrity culture with a focus on storytelling trends.

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