Ayushmann Khurrana has only had two hits in the last six years. His most recent film, ‘Dream Girl 2’ (2023), earned Rs 106 crore nett in India and was a commercial success. Prior to then, his most recent huge success was ‘Bala’ (2019), which grossed over Rs 110 crore nett and was dubbed a superhit.
Between these two films, five were released: one in 2020, one in 2021, and three in 2022. None of these did well at the ticket window. Khurrana did not release a film in 2024. ‘Thamma’ marks his return to cinemas, coinciding with the Diwali release window. The film is unquestionably one of his most challenging projects.
Ayushmann, 41, remains one of Hindi cinema’s most reliable actors. With content-driven films, he has carved out a distinct niche from his colleagues. However, ‘Thamma’ stands out as a defining project, for both qualitative and commercial reasons.
Why is ‘Thamma’ important for Ayushmann Khurrana?
‘Thamma’, produced by Maddock Films, features Ayushmann in a never-before-seen avatar that is part human and part vampire. The trailer hints to a dark comedy with thriller aspects, as well as the actor’s characteristic humour. However, it is not your typical Diwali entertainer.
The film develops India’s exclusive and very successful horror-comedy universe, which includes hits such as “Stree,” “Stree 2,” and “Munjya.” The studio is counting on its winning streak to continue, and Ayushmann may need this triumph more than anybody else.
For the actor, ‘Thamma’ represents both a risk and an opportunity. While he has experimented with social humor, this picture incorporates aspects of horror, fantasy, and dark romance, genres he has not completely explored. It’s both an experiment and a reinvention for the actor. Ayushmann appears to be entering a new cinematic game, this time as both a player and a developer.
It is a new game and Ayushmann seems to be both the player and the creator of the game.
Also starring Rashmika Mandanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, ‘Thamma’ features music that’s already topping charts. While it doesn’t have the massive pre-release buzz of ‘Stree’ or ‘Stree 2’, films of Maddock’s horror-comedy universe have often thrived on strong word-of-mouth for their longevity at the box office — ‘Munjya’, for instance.
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdkar, who has also helmed ‘Munjya’ and has been instrumental in shaping the universe, ‘Thamma’ brings social awareness with dark humour and romance together — a mix that aligns perfectly with Ayushmann’s sensibilities.
While nothing much is revealed in the trailer, ‘Thamma’ could just turn up as the film right up Ayushmann’s alley. While the film’s scale is not huge for a regular Diwali release, it could just see newer heights at the box office if it manages to receive positive word-of-mouth.
