Post by : Meena
Hassan
Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s horror comedy, Thamma, has achieved a remarkable feat, surpassing the ₹200 crore milestone globally within three weeks of its release. This film is an integral part of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) and is now the 8th-highest-grossing Indian film of 2025, overtaking Salman Khan’s Sikandar.
This achievement highlights the rising popularity of horror comedies in India and the increasing interest in franchise storytelling among local audiences.
Domestic Box Office Insights
Maddock Films, the production house behind Thamma, reports that the film has garnered approximately ₹153.18 crore net (around ₹183.50 crore gross) from Indian theatres in 20 days. While audience turnout remains strong, daily domestic earnings have stabilized at ₹1.50–2 crore, a natural decline often seen in third-week performances.
Despite this slowdown, the robust initial response and audience retention have significantly boosted its box office ranking.
International Earnings
Thamma has also made a mark overseas, collecting over $2.5 million internationally, leading to a total global revenue of about ₹206 crore. Some trade analysts estimate the figure could be as conservative as ₹185 crore.
The international box office performance reflects a niche interest in Indian horror comedies abroad, where the cultural context and humor might not hit the mark as closely. Nevertheless, the lead actors’ appeal has contributed positively.
Comparative Analysis and Franchise Dynamics
In the context of its peers this year, Thamma has outperformed Sikandar's lifetime earnings of ₹177 crore, and has surpassed Stree’s global total of ₹184 crore, marking it as the second-highest earner in the MHCU. The only film outperforming it in the franchise remains Stree 2, which registered an impressive ₹874 crore—though this is a figure that Thamma is unlikely to contend with, it clearly indicates the franchise's expanding relevance.
The film’s success signifies a strategic growth of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, which has established itself as a lucrative and beloved cinematic realm.
About Thamma: Cast and Narrative
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Thamma creatively fuses traditional Indian folklore with horror comedy, delivering both scares and laughter to its viewers. The cast includes:
Ayushmann Khurrana
Rashmika Mandanna
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Paresh Rawal
Notably, Varun Dhawan appears in a cameo, reprising his role from Bhediya and Stree 2, which enhances the franchise’s interconnected narrative.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the MHCU
Thamma sets the stage for the upcoming MHCU installment titled Shakti Shalini, featuring Aneet Padda from Saiyaara. The franchise also has seven additional films in the pipeline, including sequels and a two-part mega-crossover aimed for 2029, promising a sprawling universe for fans.
The triumph of Thamma underscores the potential of franchise storytelling in Indian cinema, especially through the blend of horror, comedy, and culturally resonant themes. The film’s box office success is not only a testament to the star power of Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna but also to the burgeoning popularity of franchise-driven horror comedies in India. With its worldwide earnings exceeding ₹200 crore, Thamma has cemented its status as one of the notable box office successes of 2025, both in a commercial and cultural sense.
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