Thamma (2025) [Movie Review] — A Riotous, Stylish Addition to the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe

Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Thamma is a Bollywood horror-comedy-action hybrid that comfortably extends the Stree universe. Anchored by a winning comic lead and memorable turns across the board, the film leans into inventive VFX, sharp production design, and a tone that rarely missteps. If you liked the original franchise’s mix of laughs and frights, Thamma delivers more of what worked — and in bolder colors.

Story & Screenplay

Mythic rules, modern mischief — a simple premise with ambitious world-building

The plot sends small-time reporter Alok Goyal (Ayushmann Khurrana) into an otherworldly forest where he meets Tadaka (Rashmika Mandanna) and the demihuman betaals. When tribal law and forbidden love collide, power-hungry Yakshashan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) threatens both realms. Writers Niren Bhatt, Arun Fulara, and Suresh Mathew pack the screenplay with franchise-friendly lore and a steady escalation of stakes; a few detours feel indulgent, but most serve the film’s strange, comic logic.

Click here to watch Bollywood Horror Comedy movies for free on HDMovie365

Performances

Star turns that swing from comic to chilling with ease

Ayushmann Khurrana is perfectly cast as the affable, increasingly emboldened Alok — his comic timing keeps the movie buoyant even as the stakes darken. Rashmika Mandanna’s Tadaka blends vulnerability and ferocity, while Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Yakshashan brings a deliciously unsettling authority. The supporting cast, including Paresh Rawal and Sathyaraj, provides both comic ballast and dramatic weight, lifting scenes that might otherwise slip into predictability.

Direction & Visuals

Confident direction and eye-catching VFX make the folklore feel fresh

Sarpotdar stages bold set-pieces: tangled forests, eerie caves, and Yakshashan’s spectral presence are rendered with care and imagination. Saurabh Goswami’s cinematography frames both the uncanny and the comic, and the visual effects are slick enough to make the betaals feel convincing without overwhelming the human performances. The film’s design vocabulary — from costumes to creature work — is a clear win.

Music, Pacing & Tone

A soundtrack that pops; a pace that mostly thrills

Sachin–Jigar’s score and songs (from melodic ballads to club-ready tracks) add texture and energy. The movie keeps a brisk tempo, though a couple of sequences — a vampiric nightclub detour among them — stretch the film’s logic. Still, the tonal balance between humor and horror is handled with care, and the laughs never undercut the suspense.

Watch free Thamma full movie now on HDMovie365.com

Verdict

Entertaining, ambitious, and franchise-ready

Thamma is an enjoyable, well-crafted entry in the Stree universe: funny, visually ambitious, and emotionally satisfying in moments. It’s not flawless, but strong performances, clever world-building, and assured direction make it a must-watch for fans of Hindi horror-comedy who want spectacle with heart — and a clear hint that the saga has more to offer.

Overall Rating: 7/10