Thamma: A Bloody Rom-Com Delight Rooted in Indian Myths

If you're a South Asian film buff eyeing a Diwali movie outing, Thamma delivers a fresh twist on vampire lore with desi flair, blending horror, laughs, and romance in a way that feels like a folklore bedtime story gone wild. Starring Ayushmann Khurrana as a bumbling journalist turned vampire and Rashmika Mandanna as his fierce betaal love interest, this Maddock Horror Comedy Universe entry is perfect for couples or friends craving light-hearted thrills without the heavy scares. It's out today, just in time for festive vibes, and packs enough wit and VFX magic to make it a solid pick for your theater plans this week.​

Story That Hooks with Familiar Myths

The plot kicks off in present-day Delhi with Alok Goyal (Ayushmann), a viral-for-the-wrong-reasons reporter, who heads to a haunted forest for a vlog and gets mauled by a bear—only to wake up saved by Tadaka (Rashmika), a mythical betaal from Indian folklore. What follows is a whirlwind of forbidden romance as Alok grapples with his new vampiric powers, dodging his nosy parents and battling Yakshashan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a rogue ancient vampire plotting chaos. Drawing from vetala tales like those in Vikram-Betaal, the story expands into the larger Maddock universe with nods to Bhediya and Munjya, making it relatable for us who grew up on Amar Chitra Katha comics. It's not your Western Twilight clone; instead, it weaves in South Asian elements like family drama and supernatural clans, keeping the stakes personal and the folklore authentic—think ancient curses clashing with modern Delhi chaos. At 2.5 hours, it occasionally drags in the setup, but the second half ramps up with epic confrontations that tie into Diwali's theme of good over evil.​

Performances That Steal the Show

Ayushmann shines as the everyman hero, bringing his signature comic timing to Alok's awkward transformation—his wide-eyed panic and viral-meme gags will have you chuckling like in Vicky Donor. Rashmika, our national crush, owns the screen as Tadaka, blending glamour with grit; her betaal avatar is fierce yet vulnerable, complete with glamorous makeovers that South Indian fans will adore, especially after her Pushpa energy. Nawazuddin as the menacing Yakshashan starts strong with chilling intensity but softens into comic villainy, delivering laugh-out-loud lines that echo his Sacred Games menace. Paresh Rawal as Alok's dad adds heartfelt family moments, grounding the fantasy in relatable desi parenting woes, while cameos like Varun Dhawan's wolf-man nod feel like Easter eggs for MCU fans in our Bollywood world. Overall, the cast's chemistry, especially Ayushmann-Rashmika's sparks, makes the romance bloom amid the bloodlust.​

Why South Asians Will Love It This Festive Week

Tailored for our audience, Thamma celebrates Indian myths over imported ones, with betaals and yakshas that remind you of childhood ghost stories around the Diwali bonfire—perfect for sharing with family or that special someone. The horror-comedy balance leans more toward laughs (think meme-worthy punches) than jumpscares, ideal if you're not into gore but want festive escapism; Telugu and Hindi viewers alike praise Rashmika's glam-vamp look and the cultural nods. VFX for transformations and forest sequences are sharp, though not Hollywood-level, and Sachin-Jigar's soundtrack adds peppy tracks that could become party anthems. Twitter buzz calls it "paisa vasool" for the humor and heart, with early reviews hailing it as a crowd-pleaser despite a slow start. For South Asians in the UAE or back home, it's a fun way to kick off the week—grab popcorn, laugh at the desi twists, and root for love conquering the supernatural.​​

In short, Thamma isn't flawless, but its witty take on our folklore makes it a worthwhile watch this Diwali—head to theaters now for 4/5 stars of bloody good fun.