Thamma Box Office Day 1: ₹24 Cr Opening for Ayushmann

Mumbai, October 22: Ayushmann Khurrana just scored the biggest opening of his career. His new film Thamma, co-starring Rashmika Mandanna, hit theatres on October 21, and early numbers suggest it has done something few expected bringing crowds back for a horror-comedy on Diwali.

Trade reports peg the film’s Day 1 India net somewhere between ₹24 and ₹25 crore, with some estimates pushing closer to ₹30 crore once all territories are counted. Either way, it’s Khurrana’s best opening yet, a solid leap from his previous box-office highs like Dream Girl 2 and Bala.

A Diwali Bet That Paid Off

The release timing clearly worked in Maddock Films’ favour. Diwali has traditionally belonged to big family entertainers this time, it went to a film about a vampire-like being rooted in Indian folklore, not the usual bloodsucker from Western myth. Khurrana was careful to clarify that before release, saying Thamma isn’t about “vampires” but a desi “betaal”. That bit of mythological grounding seems to have intrigued audiences enough to show up in large numbers.

Morning shows started on the lower side, with occupancy around 15 to 16 percent, but by evening, single screens and multiplexes alike were reporting packed houses. According to Koimoi, bookings alone had crossed ₹6 crore, and by late Tuesday night, several circuits, particularly Delhi NCR and Mumbai were running additional shows.

The film’s tone, a mix of small-town humour and supernatural absurdity, fits snugly within the Maddock “Horror-Comedy Universe” that began with Stree and later included Bhediya and Munjya. Industry trackers say Thamma has now become the second-highest opener in that universe, just behind Stree 2, which is no small feat.

The Mood in Theatres

Walk into any cinema last night and the energy was unmistakably festive. Firecrackers outside, laughter inside. Families turned up in groups, some purely for Rashmika, others curious about how Maddock would push its horror universe forward. On social media, reactions poured in many called it a “total crowd-pleaser” and “perfect Diwali watch.”

But as always with Khurrana’s films, opinions are split. Critics have been generous about his performance and the film’s production design, but a few reviews noted the uneven pacing and forced humour. The Indian Express ran two contrasting takes one praising the film’s inventiveness, another calling it “a pair of hurting ears and glazed eyes.” Such divided feedback is typical for a genre that walks a tonal tightrope.

That said, early public sentiment is leaning positive, and right now that’s what matters for business. “If you can make people laugh and jump in the same scene, you’ve already won Diwali,” a Mumbai exhibitor told The Herald this morning.

The Numbers and What They Mean

Let’s talk numbers again. ₹24 crore on opening day may not sound record-breaking in a year crowded with Kalki 2898 AD and Singham Again, but for an Ayushmann Khurrana release and one with no franchise sequel tag it’s a big deal. His audience base usually builds through word-of-mouth, not a stampede on Day 1.

The other interesting detail is the weekday release. Opening on a Tuesday can be risky since momentum often dips midweek, but the Diwali holiday offset that concern. With positive chatter and an extended festive weekend ahead, trade experts are already predicting a ₹70–80 crore opening frame if the pace holds.

Still, there’s the flip side. Some of Khurrana’s earlier films opened strongly but slid quickly when audience curiosity wore off. Whether Thamma holds or collapses will depend on what happens after the initial Diwali rush fades.

Inside Maddock’s Playbook

Behind the scenes, this film was a gamble. Maddock Films has been quietly shaping its horror-comedy franchise for years, linking supernatural tales through a common mythos. Thamma reportedly plants narrative seeds for the next two entries, which explains why some critics felt the emotional beats were rushed the studio seems to be thinking long-term.

It’s an approach that has worked in patches. Stree became a cultural phenomenon, Bhediya found niche appeal, and Munjya surprised with its sleeper run. If Thamma sustains its box-office energy through the weekend, Maddock could finally have the connective tissue it needs to keep that shared universe alive.

What Comes Next

The next few days will tell whether this opening was a spark or the start of a fire. If the collections stay above ₹20 crore for even two more days, Thamma could easily cross the ₹100 crore mark by next week. The word-of-mouth factor always Ayushmann’s secret weapon will decide the slope of that graph.

For now, though, the actor can breathe easy. He’s reclaimed some box-office credibility in a year when mid-budget films have struggled for visibility. Rashmika Mandanna, too, continues to expand her Bollywood footprint beyond South India, something Animal began for her last year.

And maybe that’s the real win here: a film that manages to make audiences laugh, shriek, and walk out discussing Indian folklore on Diwali night. In a box office dominated by sequels and spectacle, Thamma feels oddly refreshing even with its flaws.

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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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