Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
Author: Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, Arun Phalara
Mould: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, Satyaraj, Faisal Malik, Geeta Agarwal, Rachit Singh
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Duration: 149 minutes
Rating: 4/5
From then till now, a crossover but original franchise film takes everyone by surprise and storm, Thamma is one of those films, this film not only raises the bar of the entire franchise but also gives enough easter eggs for future installments. This epic saga has it all, it is fun, wild, original, unique, relevant and above all packed with great acting, excellent VFX, spectacular numbers, it is something we have never seen before in mainstream Indian cinema.
The film begins in this lush, mythical forest where ancient legends live and breathe – literally. But there is one major rule, no one ever harms any human being, and their only purpose is to protect mankind against evil forces. And one fine day the cardinal rule is broken leading to many anarchies, some centuries old and some in the present and future. Thamma is the perfect blend of folklore, fantasy, emotion and action in one thoroughly engaging ride.
Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok, who plays a small-town reporter who lands a job bigger than his dreams. His character is very likable in the beginning – goofy, chatty, curious and pure-hearted. The arc of his character is worth watching, he goes through many changes and each one is darker, darker and incredibly emotional. You just feel what he’s feeling.
Rashmika Mandanna as Tadka is a revelation. She’s hot when she needs to be hot, but the thing is, she comes across as very real and down to earth. She doesn’t play the typical “horror heroine” role of screaming all the time or throwing dust in her eyes. Her character has a real emotional core, and her chemistry with Ayushmann is natural and organic.
Most of the first half is spent quickly establishing new characters with previous stories, and it’s really seamless and engaging.
And then comes the second half, where the film goes into supersonic overdrive. Dramatic plot twists, high-level action, major revelations, comic relief and love, but amidst all the chaos, everything makes sense, everything has a meaning, even the dance routines have deep roots, and then comes an epic show stopping fight between Ayushmann’s character Alok and the wolf himself (yes, Varun Dhawan is back!).
Betal vs Bhediya, it is straight up big screen magic, excellent choreography, amazing VFX, thunderous music and great performances, it is those moments where you just stay glued to the screen, and don’t want to miss a thing. This isn’t just a face-off, this is a perfectly timed epic cinematic moment that will be etched in fans’ memories forever.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s more to come. Thamma is packed with Diwali bonuses, leaving you all in awe and with more questions – like what is the exact relationship between Alok and Bhediya, there’s a big twist that gives you clues, but doesn’t tell everything. It’s extremely delicious – in a positive sense. You yearn to know more.
And then the one and only beheaded, who is quietly making a comeback. A perfect hair-raising experience. It’s also a gift that all of these movies are shaping up to be part of a bigger, shared universe. Just a taste of Thamma, there’s more to come.
Following the lead pair, the epic saga is filled with excellent performances from the entire group. Paresh Rawal is a comedy scene stealer as he plays Ayushmann’s grumpy but clever father with the right mix of wit and sarcasm. The film also marks Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s debut in MHCU and he is such an experienced actor that it feels as if he has always been a part of this world. He is hilarious, funny, evil, intense, thoughtful, and of course ambitious, qualities that make him a formidable foe.
Veteran actor Sathyaraj (Hand of God) is also back as Mr. Elvis, the quirky supernatural authority figure. And that’s the tipping point where the Tor mega franchise makes an epic cross-over, he’s much more than a comic relief role. Hardcore fans of the universe may also get a glimpse of a subtle reveal that foreshadows a big upcoming twist.
And then there is the gorgeous Nora Fatehi, her cameo is not just a glamor flash. Her moment actually contributes to the narrative content and ties directly into the original story that started it all, The Woman. She brings emotional depth, and the makers have cleverly adapted the item song as another cross-over point. Nora will change the entire universe. Whether or not he’s the secret to the world’s mysteries, or something more complex, either way, we’re excited.
Read this also Thamma Trailer: Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna to star in bloody love story this Diwali – watch
Apart from the poignant BGM, the album is a banger, it is not a loud number but serves a larger purpose. There is no random dance-number nonsense in the middle of the jungle, the songs are very specific, even a dance routine is indicative of the origins of the Betaal and Raktabeej story.
And that doesn’t stop you from jumping for joy, there’s an epic showdown between Thamma and the wolf, a visual and action spectacle that will leave you gasping.
Thamma is not just another addition to a fantastic franchise, it is a genre-defying breakthrough for Indian genre films and shared universe storytelling, the likes of which are rare to accomplish. The film is smart, intelligent, emotional, humorous and ridiculously entertaining. Packed with exceptional performances, clever writing, and some serious world building, the film is able to combine big laughs, emotional moments, and high-fantasy action without any loss of momentum.
If you’re already a fan of the Woman, or the Wolf, or the wider Maddock horror-universe – hold on to your seats. Thamma didn’t just have a good time at the cinema. This is the beginning of something much, much bigger.