Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna's latest horror-comedy, "Thamma," has taken the box office by storm, earning ₹25.11 crore on its opening day. The film's impressive start has surpassed the opening day collections of "Stree" (₹6.82 crore), "Bhediya" (₹7.48 crore), and "Munjya" (₹4 crore). However, it still trails behind "Stree 2," which remains the highest opener in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) with ₹51.80 crore.
"Thamma" has secured the position of the second-highest opener in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. It also stands as Ayushmann Khurrana's biggest opening day ever. The film's success is attributed to the Diwali festivities and holidays, which drew large crowds to theaters across the nation.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, "Thamma" has resonated well with audiences, particularly those who enjoy the "Stree-verse". The film benefits from the buzz surrounding the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, which has helped it gain momentum at the box office. "Thamma" has also managed to outperform "Kantara: Chapter 1" on Tuesday, showcasing its strong performance.
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, "Thamma" is the fifth installment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, following "Stree," "Bhediya," "Munjya," and "Stree 2". The film is produced by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik. "Thamma" explores vampire lore and revolves around Ayushmann's character, who transforms into a vampire and finds himself in a complex romantic relationship with Rashmika Mandanna's character. The film also features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal in significant roles.
According to Sacnilk.com, "Thamma" had an overall 34.50 percent Hindi occupancy on Tuesday, with maximum occupancy reported in Chennai (56 percent). The film recorded a 15.76% occupancy rate during the morning shows, which increased to 21.22% in the afternoon and 19.98% in the evening.
Ayushmann Khurrana explained that his character in "Thamma" is unlike any previous protagonist in the Maddock horror-comedy universe. He described it as "completely different" from characters in "Stree," "Bhediya," or "Munjya," and crafted to be enjoyable for both adults and children while continuing the franchise's legacy.
"Thamma's" success spans across India's East, West, North, and South, reflecting a nationwide appetite for thrilling storytelling and fresh cinematic energy. Trade watchers and box office analysts note that "Thamma's" debut signals a turning point for what festival audiences seek out.
While "Thamma" has made a strong start, it still has a way to go to match the success of "Stree 2," which opened with ₹51.80 crore. However, with a six-day extended festive weekend, the film is expected to see exponential growth, with collections potentially hovering between ₹60-70 crore.
