Thamma Box Office First-Day Collection Sets Box Office Ablaze, Despite Mixed Reviews Calling it the ‘Weakest MHCU’ Film.
October 22, 2025: The much-anticipated horror-comedy, Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, has roared to life at the box office, capitalizing on the lucrative Diwali festival period. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, the fifth installment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) has given Ayushmann Khurrana his biggest opening till date.
Box Office Bonanza According to industry tracker Sacnilk’s early estimates, Thamma collected an approximate Rs. 24 crore on its opening day (Tuesday, October 21), marking a “very good number” for the star. This massive start makes Thamma the second-highest opener in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, trailing only Stree 2. The film is also reportedly the third-highest opener of 2025 for a Hindi film.
However, the opening figure is less than half of Rashmika Mandanna’s previous Diwali release, Stree 2 (Rs. 51.80 crore opening), and follows her other massive openers like Chhaava and Pushpa 2.
Mixed Reviews and High Budget Despite the bumper opening, the film has been met with mixed reviews from critics and the audience. While many in the audience have called it a “total entertainer” and a “crowd-pleaser” for the holiday, some critics have been less charitable.
The Free Press Journal reviewer gave Thamma 2.5 stars, noting that while the VFX and Diwali holidays are expected to boost business, “the real test will start after the holidays.” Several critics and audiences have stated that Thamma is the weakest film in the MHCU in terms of narrative and emotional depth, suffering from a slow pace in the second half and a plot that prioritizes spectacle.
The film, which co-stars Paresh Rawal and Nawazuddin Siddiqui and features a cameo by Varun Dhawan (Bhediya), is reportedly the most expensive film in the MHCU, made on a total estimated budget of around Rs. 145 crore (including Rs. 125 crore production cost, and Rs. 20 crore for Print and Publicity).
The Road Ahead The holiday factor has clearly worked in Thamma’s favour. With minimal competition at the box office, all eyes are now on how the film performs in the upcoming regular working days and during the critical weekend (Saturday, Sunday) to determine its final box office verdict.
MHCU Continues to Expand The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe continues to be a major talking point. An announcement for the next movie in the franchise, Shakti Shalini, starring Saiyaara fame Aneet Padda in the lead role, was attached to Thamma and has already gone viral. The audience is eagerly awaiting more films in the growing universe, which currently includes Stree (2018), Bhediya (2022), Munjya (2024), and Stree 2 (2024).