hamma, the latest addition to the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe, blends mythology, satire, and romance into a supernatural mix that never quite gels. Despite its ambitious concept and strong performances by Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, the film struggles to balance humour, horror, and emotion — resulting in a half-baked cinematic experience.
A Universe Expands but Loses Focus
With Thamma, director Aditya Sarpotdar attempts to expand Maddock’s supernatural universe — one that began with Stree and evolved through Bhediya and Munjya. The film explores the uneasy coexistence between humans and betaals, using vampire folklore as a metaphor for social hypocrisy and division.
The setup is intriguing: Alok Goyal (Ayushmann Khurrana), a Delhi journalist hungry for viral stories, stumbles into a jungle encounter that changes his life. Rescued by Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna), a vampire who defies her clan’s bloodthirsty ways, he is drawn into a world where myth, love, and morality collide.
However, what begins as an engaging premise soon spirals into chaos. The screenplay juggles too many ideas — caste allegories, media sensationalism, environmental messages, and even political commentary — but fails to develop any with conviction. The film tries to be socially aware and entertaining, yet ends up being neither.
Performances Keep It Afloat
Rashmika Mandanna shines in one of her most unconventional Bollywood roles. As Tadaka, she brings vulnerability and strength to a character that could have easily turned caricatured. Ayushmann Khurrana, known for portraying relatable men, pushes into supernatural territory with mixed results — earnest but uneven.
Paresh Rawal adds weight as Alok’s stubborn father, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui brings his trademark eccentricity to the role of Thamma, the ancient betal leader. Sadly, even their collective efforts can’t rescue the film from its tonal confusion. Cameos from Varun Dhawan and Abhishek Banerjee offer brief sparks of humour, but the laughter fades too quickly.
Technical Strengths, Narrative Weaknesses
Visually, Thamma delivers. Cinematographer Saurabh Goswami captures eerie landscapes and vibrant contrasts between jungle mystique and city chaos. The VFX, particularly during transformation scenes, stand out. Unfortunately, these strengths are diluted by sluggish editing and overbearing background music that drains the tension rather than heightening it.
Sachin–Jigar’s soundtrack adds a few hummable tunes but lacks the freshness that earlier Maddock ventures had. The pacing drags, especially in the first half, and the climax — though visually ambitious — feels abrupt and emotionally hollow.
Missed Potential and Final Verdict
Thamma had all the ingredients for an entertaining supernatural adventure — a unique mythological setup, a strong cast, and franchise potential. Yet, it never fully commits to being scary, funny, or profound. Its attempts at social commentary feel forced, and its humour rarely lands.
The film’s second half redeems it partially, offering glimpses of the emotional and thematic depth it could have achieved. But by then, the fatigue has already set in.
Bullseye Rating:★★½ (2.5/5 stars)
Thamma is currently in theatres.
