Thamma Review : A Visual Spectacle That Misses the Thrills

Story

Alok (Ayushmann Khurrana) is a journalist hunting for the next big viral story. In pursuit of sensational content, he ventures deep into a mysterious forest with his team. Their adventure turns dangerous when a wild bear attacks, nearly killing Alok until a mysterious woman named Tadka (Rashmika Mandanna) saves him.

Alok is drawn to her, but Tadka harbors a dark secret she belongs to the Betaal clan, a mystical tribe dwelling in the forest’s depths. When the demonic Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) attempts to sacrifice Alok, Tadka defies her kind and flees with him to Delhi.

As Alok’s affection grows, he begins to realize Tadka isn’t human. Fearing that her presence could endanger him, Tadka decides to return to her world. But an unexpected twist forces both to face a destiny intertwined with ancient powers and forbidden love.

Narration & Analysis

Horror-comedy is a genre Indian audiences are deeply familiar with especially in the South, where classics like Chandramukhi, Kanchana, and Premakatha Chitram set high standards for balancing fright with fun.

While the genre recently waned in the South, Bollywood revived it through Maddock Films, turning it into a lucrative formula. However, for Telugu audiences, Thamma may feel like déjà vu well-made, but not particularly fresh.

The film’s concept holds promise, yet its screenplay struggles to maintain excitement. Apart from its stunning visual effects, Thamma lacks the gripping tension or witty scares that make horror-comedies memorable. The pacing often dips, and the thrills feel manufactured rather than organic.

Screenplay Weaknesses

Even the supposed twists lack weight. The film seldom builds suspense, and emotional beats fall flat.

Yet, if you overlook the uneven writing, Thamma shines visually. The VFX work is top-tier, particularly in sequences showing Ayushmann and Rashmika in their Betaal forms. Kids and fantasy lovers might find these parts delightful.

Adding to the spectacle is Varun Dhawan’s cameo as his Bhediya character his action scene with Ayushmann is a clear highlight.

The first half moves sluggishly with a stretched romantic track, but the second half picks up with better energy and larger set pieces. However, even with all the visual grandeur, Thamma never quite achieves the emotional or thrilling impact it aims for.

Performances

Rashmika Mandanna is the film’s heart. She delivers a captivating mix of beauty, mystery, and vulnerability. Despite playing a supernatural being, her portrayal is glamorous, featuring bold moments and an undeniable screen presence.

Ayushmann Khurrana brings his signature wit and earnestness, balancing humor and emotion effectively.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui starts strong but fades quickly; his character’s odd writing robs him of menace.

Paresh Rawal and Geeta Agrawal Sharma add warmth as Alok’s parents.

Varun Dhawan’s cameo provides a fun connective thread to the Maddock horror universe, while Sathyaraj’s role feels wasted.

Technical Aspects

Technically, Thamma stands out.

The visual effects are polished and world-class.

Saurabh Goswami’s cinematography beautifully captures the eerie yet enchanting forest landscapes.

Sachin Jigar’s background score complements the film’s mystical tone, and the songs blend well without halting the narrative.

Art direction and production design are rich, reflecting the film’s big-budget scale.

However, the writing and storytelling fail to match the film’s technical brilliance. Director Aditya Sarpotdar executes the visual and action-heavy portions well, but the screenplay lacks coherence and emotional depth.

Final Verdict

Thamma is a stylish, visually impressive fantasy-horror with strong performances and great production values. Yet, its weak screenplay, uneven tone, and lack of true scares hold it back from greatness.

Rating: 2.5/5

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