Showing posts with label Thamma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thamma. Show all posts
Aneet Padda to begin shooting for Shakti Shalini in March
9:02 AM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 8, 2026)
Debutante Aneet Padda basked in the mammoth success of her musical romance, Saiyaara, all of last year. Now, she is ready to move on to her next project. The climax of the Ayushmann Khurrana-led supernatural romance, Thamma (2025), teased with a glimpse of Shakti Shalini, the next story in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). Sources tell mid-day that the first schedule of the horror comedy has been chalked out, with the pre-production about to wrap up.
“Aneet will begin shooting for the film in March. It’s going to be a marathon schedule. The film was earlier set to start rolling in January, but pre-production needed more time,” informs a source.
Rumours are rife that Homebound (2025) actor Vishal Jethwa is paired opposite Padda in the film. While the makers are mum about the director, mid-day has learnt that Aditya Sarpotdar — who helmed Thamma — has been signed on to captain this ship.
“Aditya’s relationship with Maddock Films began with Munjya (2024). He has a flair for combining mythology, horror, and humour. Shakti Shalini is fleshed out slightly different from the other MHCU films. [It will have] far more drama,” says an insider of the Christmas release.
Sooraj Barjatya’s hero is always a green flag-Ayushmann Khurrana
9:46 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 17, 2025)
A good old family drama was missing from Ayushmann Khurrana’s filmography even as he attempted diverse genres. Now the actor is doing one with the best in business, Sooraj Barjatya. Having recently completed the first schedule of Yeh Prem Mol Liya, he is deeply impressed by the filmmaker’s humility.
“Sooraj sir is one of the most successful directors, but he’s simple and hard-working. He works like a nerd, and that inspires me the most,” said the actor.
Stepping into the role of Prem is a big feat. But to Khurrana, what’s noteworthy is that the role is at odds with the characters he gravitates towards.
He explained, “The best part of a Sooraj Barjatya film is that the hero is always a quintessential green flag. I usually love portraying characters who are flawed and have an arc, but here, the entire family is a green flag.”
In 2025, Khurrana had a sole release in Thamma. The actor will open 2026 with Pati Patni Aur Woh Do. He realises that the two offerings are a departure from the out-of-the-box films he has been known for — from Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017) to Andhadhun (2018).
“The reason I’m doing films like Thamma and Pati Patni Aur Woh Do for a wider audience is because I also want to do films like Andhadhun and Article 15 [2019]. I believe An Action Hero [2022] could have done better. So, I’m mixing up genres — commercial films with projects that are unique. You have to gain the audience’s faith. That’s what I tried to build with Dream Girl 2 [2023] and Thamma. That will get translated to my other films as well.”
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 906
2:33 PM
THAMMA UNDERPERFORMS; EK DEEWANE KI DEEWANIYAT IS A HIT
The Diwali releases have proved to be a mixed bag. The biggest release, Thamma, has underperformed and is yet to cross the Rs. 100 crore mark, though it was released 9 days ago. The other release, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, has managed to strike gold, thankfully.
On Tuesday, October 21, Thamma opened at Rs. 23 crores, which was beyond expectations. The film fell to Rs. 18 crores on October 22, which wasn’t alarming. On Thursday, it collected Rs. 12 crores while on Friday, the film earned Rs. 9.50 crores. On Saturday and Sunday, it collected Rs. 12.25 crores and Rs. 11.75 crores respectively. The fact that it collected less on Sunday than on Saturday made it clear that all was not well with the film.
On Monday, Thamma fell to Rs. 3.85 crores, which was a big drop. The earnings jumped to Rs. 5 crores due to the Tuesday offer. On Wednesday, it collected Rs. 3 crores. Until Wednesday, its collections are Rs. 98.35 crores and it will cross the Rs. 100 crore mark today.
There is no major release this Friday and hence, Thamma will have another week to score. Crossing the Rs. 125 crore mark seems next to impossible and at the most, it can aim to collect Rs. 120 crores in its lifetime.
On the other hand, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, which was made at very reasonable costs, surprised one and all as it opened at Rs. 9.35 crores. It could have opened at Rs. 12-13 crores if it was not denied a release in single screens in many pockets. On Wednesday, October 22, it suffered a minor drop, collecting Rs. 8 crores and Rs. 6.25 crores on Thursday. Its Friday earnings were Rs. 5.75 crores. The collections on Saturday were Rs. 6.75 crores. While Thamma dropped on Sunday, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat did not and it earned Rs. 7.25 crores. Similarly, while Thamma collected Rs. 3.85 crores on Monday, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat earned in the same range – Rs. 3.65 crores. This was a feat, considering that Thamma’s opening was more than double that of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.
On Tuesday, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat collected Rs. 4.50 crores due to the Tuesday offer. The collections of Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat were the same on Wednesday – Rs. 3 crores. The collections of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat until now are Rs. 54.50 crores. By the end of the day, it’ll collect around Rs. 57 crores.
The trend for Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is fair and it’ll have a decent run in the coming week as well. Hence, it’ll collect more than Rs. 70 crores in its lifetime.
The Diwali releases have proved to be a mixed bag. The biggest release, Thamma, has underperformed and is yet to cross the Rs. 100 crore mark, though it was released 9 days ago. The other release, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, has managed to strike gold, thankfully.
On Tuesday, October 21, Thamma opened at Rs. 23 crores, which was beyond expectations. The film fell to Rs. 18 crores on October 22, which wasn’t alarming. On Thursday, it collected Rs. 12 crores while on Friday, the film earned Rs. 9.50 crores. On Saturday and Sunday, it collected Rs. 12.25 crores and Rs. 11.75 crores respectively. The fact that it collected less on Sunday than on Saturday made it clear that all was not well with the film.
On Monday, Thamma fell to Rs. 3.85 crores, which was a big drop. The earnings jumped to Rs. 5 crores due to the Tuesday offer. On Wednesday, it collected Rs. 3 crores. Until Wednesday, its collections are Rs. 98.35 crores and it will cross the Rs. 100 crore mark today.
There is no major release this Friday and hence, Thamma will have another week to score. Crossing the Rs. 125 crore mark seems next to impossible and at the most, it can aim to collect Rs. 120 crores in its lifetime.
On the other hand, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, which was made at very reasonable costs, surprised one and all as it opened at Rs. 9.35 crores. It could have opened at Rs. 12-13 crores if it was not denied a release in single screens in many pockets. On Wednesday, October 22, it suffered a minor drop, collecting Rs. 8 crores and Rs. 6.25 crores on Thursday. Its Friday earnings were Rs. 5.75 crores. The collections on Saturday were Rs. 6.75 crores. While Thamma dropped on Sunday, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat did not and it earned Rs. 7.25 crores. Similarly, while Thamma collected Rs. 3.85 crores on Monday, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat earned in the same range – Rs. 3.65 crores. This was a feat, considering that Thamma’s opening was more than double that of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.
On Tuesday, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat collected Rs. 4.50 crores due to the Tuesday offer. The collections of Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat were the same on Wednesday – Rs. 3 crores. The collections of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat until now are Rs. 54.50 crores. By the end of the day, it’ll collect around Rs. 57 crores.
The trend for Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is fair and it’ll have a decent run in the coming week as well. Hence, it’ll collect more than Rs. 70 crores in its lifetime.
The day you feel there is a formula, it will be the end-Dinesh Vijan
9:06 AM
Sonal Kalra (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 25, 2025)
More often than not, when a film becomes a hit, the conversation focuses on the actors. Rarely does it turn to the people behind the scenes: the producers. Dinesh Vijan, however, is an exception, having established himself as one of today’s most successful producers, with a string of memorable films under his production house Maddock Films’ belt. His latest film, the horror-comedy Thamma, has opened to strong numbers too. Excerpts from a chat:
Your films Chhaava and Stree 2 got audiences back to the theatres. With the response Thamma is getting, what is your vision for Maddock?
Conviction comes from the gut. The most important decision you make is which film to make. The rest is logistics. I have a line in our company, ‘We have to be unique and audacious’. People want to be surprised when they go in a theatre. We are fortunate that we are getting to make the films we want to make.
My job at Maddock is simple: I take care of the content and a little bit of marketing. I have some beautiful people who take all the stress away from me, so I can focus on this. The day you feel there is a formula, it will be the end. Three or four years back, I remember, some social media comments said, ‘This is a Maddock kind of film,’ and my team got excited. I said, ‘This is like writing your obituary.’ We make what we love, and love is not [meant] to be finite. The day you get stuck, you would want to make films for that acceptance.
From Love Aaj Kal to Param Sundari, the graph of your films shows diversity. How do you decide the budget of a film? On one hand, you made a grand-scale film like Chhaava, and then there were Mimi and Luka Chuppi...
A story is never small or big. It’s about the relevance of a story. We think about money last, and that’s why we end up making money. Our most illogical bet was Chhaava. At the scale we made it, it was also about survival. We had to change the cinematic experience. Vicky Kaushal or Laxman Utekar had never made a historical film before; technically, it was not a safe film. Yet it fired [became a hit].
The first look of Ikkis, is out now. Usually December sees festive releases. Why did you decide to come out with such a story during that time of the year?
Generally Diwali falls in November every year; this time it fell in October. If you look at it, Animal was also released in December 2023, the same as Sam Bahadur. I feel between the two festive seasons of Diwali and Christmas, a film like Ikkis can come. We are trying to find an exact date and don’t want to clash with any other film. I have loved this story on late Lt Arun Khetarpal’s life for seven years. We got hit by Covid in between; that’s why we couldn’t start the film. I had narrated it to Sriram Raghavan all those years back; generally, he writes his own material and brings it to you. He had a tear in his eye. The idea was to do either Badlapur 2 or Ikkis; he chose this.
You were in banking before you started producing films. How did this decision come about? Did you ever think Maddock will one day be called at the top of the film industry, like Yash Raj Films and Dharma?
I am a Leo; I will obviously want to get there! Honestly, where we have come is so far. I don’t think that boy ever saw it. When you are young, with brashness, you might think so. But the answer is a no. I am fortunate my parents allowed me to do this. My father and I used to watch Amitabh Bachchan’s films together, so that desire was there somewhere. I knew my father couldn’t [pursue what he wanted] because my grandfather had a heart attack, and he had to get into the family business. But I became my father’s Simran, and he let me go. It was tough.
We want to unfold betaal vs werewolf showdown in most fun, mightiest way possible-Aditya Sarpotdar
9:00 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 29, 2025)
Vampires, in director Aditya Sarpotdar’s mind, were an out-and-out Western concept. Think biting cold, dark nights, Gothic architecture, all lending mood to the legend. But he was in for a surprise. “When we were researching, we realised that the idea of betaals preceded the concept of vampires. There are several articles referencing how the Western vampire might have been an offshoot of the betaal idea from the Indian subcontinent,” he shares. That seeded the idea of his vampire dramedy, Thamma.
The Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui-starrer is the latest addition to the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). As he set out to create an Indian world of vampires, Sarpotdar took inspiration from the classic Hindi TV serial, Vikram Aur Betaal.
“Betaal there was quirky, smart, and cunning. He used to pose riddles to Vikram, then let out a distinct laugh and disappear. Nawaz’s character is, in many ways, modelled on that version. He is mischievous, unpredictable, and a bit mad,” he says.
With creator Amar Kaushik and writer Niren Bhatt, Sarpotdar — who previously made the horror comedy, Munjya (2024) — slowly crafted Thamma’s world. The director remembers the first moment he felt this “madness” truly come alive on set. It was during a night shoot at Film City in Goregaon.
Sarpotdar says, “We were shooting in our massive Betaal World set at Film City. When the actors put on their fangs and began performing the physicality of betaals, it felt crazy. After a few nights, it felt like that was where we belonged.”
When it came to casting, the first betaal Sarpotdar finalized was Mandanna. She cracked the first look test, he remembers. “In the look test, when she came out in costume and we gave her the fangs, the first pose she struck was perfect — this without even a brief. There was a certain dread and coldness, yet so much likeability. The way she has used her eyes and body to express that raw, jungle-like quality was exactly what the character needed.”
As much as fans loved the new characters in the MHCU, they equally loved seeing an old resident of the cinematic universe — Varun Dhawan aka Bhediya. A crossover between the MHCU films is a given. In Thamma, it materialised as a crucial Khurrana-versus-Dhawan fight sequence. The director breaks it down saying,
“In the script, we always had the Bhediya versus Thamma face-off planned. Varun does action very well, and Ayushmann has a high-energy style. They had to go at each other at a Batman-Superman level. Varun’s Bhediya is extremely loved, so his entry had to be kickass — that whistle-worthy slow-motion reveal. Then there’s the werewolf’s reveal. Both are designed as big moments.”
With the MHCU being populated by Stree and her rival Sarkata, werewolves, and now vampires, where is this world headed next?
The director smiles, “A lot of people feel there is huge potential for this universe to unfold further. After Stree, Bhediya, and now Thamma, we’re holding on to one wild card — a massive betaal versus werewolf showdown. The animosity between the two has been set up, and when they finally go at each other, it’s going to be a battle of two big superheroes. We want it to unfold in the most fun and mightiest way possible.”
Fans, head to Reddit right now!
What if we told you that ‘Thamma’ creator Amar Kaushik, writer Niren Bhatt, and director Aditya Sarpotdar go regularly to online forums and glean fan theories? “All three of us love reading fan theories,” laughs Sarpotdar, before adding that the practice inspires them to make the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe richer.
“We go on forums anonymously, read discussions about our films, and bring those ideas back to the drawing board. We all share this mindset of creating something crazier, something that nobody has ever seen before.”
Major film distributors squeeze rivals in fight for box-office gold
8:02 AM
Big players seen using unjust tactics to deprive smaller peers of shows in single-screen theatres, multiplexes, say experts
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 28, 2025)
At a time when box office performance has become increasingly hard to predict, the battle over pre-theatrical releases in the Hindi film industry has intensified, as major distributors use unfair tactics to limit smaller rivals from securing enough shows in single-screen theatres and multiplexes, trade analysts, producers and independent distributors told ET.
In recent months, reports of tussles over screen and show allocations have surfaced among distributors of major releases such as Coolie and War 2; Kantara: A Legend Chapter – 1 and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari; and Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.
“Sharing of screens and shows on the release day between distributors of competing films has been a long-standing issue. However, of late, it has become too aggressive and ruthless. Today, big and established distributors make almost every possible effort to deprive relatively smaller distributors of competing films from getting a fair number of shows and screens,” said Rajesh R Nair, producer of Hindi films such as Kaminey and Adipurush.
One of the unfair tactics major distributors have reportedly used is threatening single-screen owners and key multiplexes to withhold their films, both current and upcoming, if they allocate shows to competing titles backed by smaller distributors.
“In recent months, industry insiders have shared that big distributors have been threatening single-screen theatre owners and multiplexes that they would not supply them current and future inventory of films if they allocate shows to distributors of competing films,” said film distributor and trade analyst Shaaminder Malik.
Big distributors, with their strong reputations and deep pockets, have the advantage of backing a steady pipeline of theatre-worthy films. These strengths give them an edge over mid- and small-sized distributors when negotiating the number of screens and shows with single-screen owners and multiplexes.
Industry estimates show India has more than 9,900 screens, 55-57% of which are single screens.
“Big distributors have been even stipulating the number of shows their films must get on the release date to theatre owners. All this is at the expense of competing films of relatively smaller distributors,” said Malik.
Industry observers said such tactics by major distributors reflect growing nervousness about how their films will be received.
“Each story is different and appeals to a different audience, so in a sense it’s not a competition. Unjust tactics by big distributors to thwart relatively smaller distributors of competing films from getting sufficient screens and shows on the release day reflects their lack of confidence in the films they are backing,” said Bibhabari Rath Assudani, founder, Motion Mind Ventures, a company that helps filmmakers in critical stages of film-making such as financing and distribution.
Experts, however, pointed out that such tactics offer no long-term advantage, as exhibitors typically adjust show schedules after the opening weekend in favour of films that draw stronger audience interest.
“Ultimately, these tactics of big distributors are short-term strategies. After the opening weekend, only the film which has received high audience preference wins irrespective of the fact whether it is backed by a big or small distributor. Exhibitors promptly change the programming of shows in favour of films preferred by audiences given the capital-intensive nature of the business,” explained producer Rajesh R Nair.
Agreeing with Nair, Suniel Wadhwa, co-founder & Director, Karmic Films shared, “Multiplexes are far more data-driven now. By Sunday of an opening weekend of releases, show allocations automatically tilt toward the film that holds occupancy and momentum. In that sense, market correction plays a critical role in which film will get more shows after the opening weekend of releases.”
After Stree, Thamma, Munjya and Bhediya, Dinesh Vijan expands MHCU with an AI-driven story
8:20 AM
Shraddha Kapoor in ‘Stree 2’; Aneet Padda will lead ‘Shakti Shalini’; Varun Dhawan in ‘Bhediya’; A still from ‘Thamma’
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 24, 2025)
First came ‘Stree’ (2018). Then ‘Bhediya’ (2022), ‘Munjya’ (2024), and ‘Thamma’ followed, each film giving us a unique character and its world. Now, it looks like there’s another new entrant in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) — Artificial Intelligence (AI). mid-day has learnt that producer Dinesh Vijan is exploring the possibility of creating a full-fledged AI-driven big-screen spectacle that will be a part of the MHCU.
Sources tell us that the idea is currently in the development stage. “There are exciting titles ‘Bhediya 2’, ‘Stree 3’, ‘Shakti Shalini’ with Aneet Padda, and ‘Chamunda’ with Alia Bhatt. The makers want to integrate an AI film into the slate as well. They have high ambitions with the MHCU, and an AI film feels like a natural fit that will widen the possibilities of what can happen in that universe. Things are, however, in the nascent stage,” reveals a source.
‘Shakti Shalini’ is the immediate film the banner is focusing on. Led by ‘Saiyaara’ star Padda, the horror comedy was officially announced with a teaser attached to MHCU’s latest offering, ‘Thamma’. The project is likely to roll early next year. Another source shares, “Work on the AI film will go on simultaneously. If it lands, it may prove to be path-breaking for Hindi cinema.”
mid-day reached out to Maddock Films, which didn’t respond till press time.
Diwali films fail to light up box office; Thamma, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat's collections fall 14-25% in first two days
8:11 AM
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; October 24, 2025)
Bollywood's Diwali releases, Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, have shown underwhelming performance in the past two days after a promising opening on Tuesday.
These films lack elements paramount for big festival entertainers, producers, distributors and trade analysts told ET as their collections have dropped 14-25% compared to the first-day performance.
"This year's Diwali releases seem to have missed the fireworks. Despite the advantage of the festive window, both new titles opened with promise but failed to sustain momentum through midweek," said Suniel Wadhwa, cofounder and director at film production and distribution firm Karmic Films.
"This is not a good sign," he said. "Word-of-mouth communications for both films have been patchy, and early corrections in show scheduling reflect that audiences are becoming more selective and content-conscious."
According to box office research firm Sacnilk, collection of horror-comedy Thamma, which is part of Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), dropped to Rs. 18.6 crore on the second day of its release from Rs. 24 crore on its release day, amounting to a drop of 22.5%. Similarly, the collection of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, a romantic film, dropped to Rs. 7.75 crore on the second day from Rs. 9 crore on its release day, showing a fall of close to 14%.
Both films were released on Tuesday. Historically, Diwali releases are considered the most profitable and mood-setting period for the next year in the Hindi film industry. It is estimated that Diwali releases contribute 10-25% to the total Hindi yearly box-office collection. This is a noteworthy contribution considering the short holiday period in a Diwali week.
Last year, Diwali releases Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 together earned a collection of Rs. 653 crore in India itself. Both films contributed close to 14% to the total Hindi box office in 2024.
Producers are of the view that genres of this year's Diwali releases did not go well with the festive spirit.
"A Diwali period warrants a joyful, big, grand-scale, family entertainers. The genres of these two films did not meet up these expectations, it seems," said Girish Johar, producer and film business expert.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 905
3:12 PM
DIWALI RELEASES OPEN WELL
Both the Diwali films of 2025, Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, opened more than expectations and have sustained well. It is nowhere close to the day 1 collections of the 2024 Diwali releases (Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3) of Rs. 73.25 crores. But what is heartening is that the word of mouth is decent and looks like the film will manage to have a healthy lifetime.
Thamma was expected to have an opening in the range of Rs. 15 crores and Rs. 20 crores. But it opened at Rs. 23 crores on Tuesday, October 21. Wednesday, October 22, was also a holiday when it collected Rs. 18 crores. Hence, it has collected Rs. 41 crores in two days. Today is also a part-holiday due to Bhai Dooj while the weekend effect will kick in from 4:00 pm on Friday, October 24. As a result, the film will see drops on both days, but if all goes well, Thamma will still earn in double digits on these days. The jump will be seen on Saturday and Sunday. The aim should be to collect around Rs. 90 crores until Sunday. There’s also a minor hope that the film would cross the Rs. 100 crore mark by Sunday, but it is too early to make that conclusion.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat was expected to open at Rs. 7-8 crores. However, it surprised one and all with its opening of Rs. 9.35 crores. The opening could have been more had the film secured more screens, especially in the B and C centres. But due to the tussle over show-sharing, it failed to get the required number of screens. Otherwise, it would have had an opening of Rs. 10 crores plus.
On Wednesday, it collected Rs. 8 crores and hence, it has earned Rs. 17.35 crores until now. Like Thamma, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat will also suffer a drop today and tomorrow. By Sunday, it should hopefully collect Rs. 40-50 crores. The romantic saga has been made at very low costs and therefore, it won’t be a while before the film is given the ‘Hit’ verdict.
Both the Diwali films of 2025, Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, opened more than expectations and have sustained well. It is nowhere close to the day 1 collections of the 2024 Diwali releases (Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3) of Rs. 73.25 crores. But what is heartening is that the word of mouth is decent and looks like the film will manage to have a healthy lifetime.
Thamma was expected to have an opening in the range of Rs. 15 crores and Rs. 20 crores. But it opened at Rs. 23 crores on Tuesday, October 21. Wednesday, October 22, was also a holiday when it collected Rs. 18 crores. Hence, it has collected Rs. 41 crores in two days. Today is also a part-holiday due to Bhai Dooj while the weekend effect will kick in from 4:00 pm on Friday, October 24. As a result, the film will see drops on both days, but if all goes well, Thamma will still earn in double digits on these days. The jump will be seen on Saturday and Sunday. The aim should be to collect around Rs. 90 crores until Sunday. There’s also a minor hope that the film would cross the Rs. 100 crore mark by Sunday, but it is too early to make that conclusion.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat was expected to open at Rs. 7-8 crores. However, it surprised one and all with its opening of Rs. 9.35 crores. The opening could have been more had the film secured more screens, especially in the B and C centres. But due to the tussle over show-sharing, it failed to get the required number of screens. Otherwise, it would have had an opening of Rs. 10 crores plus.
On Wednesday, it collected Rs. 8 crores and hence, it has earned Rs. 17.35 crores until now. Like Thamma, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat will also suffer a drop today and tomorrow. By Sunday, it should hopefully collect Rs. 40-50 crores. The romantic saga has been made at very low costs and therefore, it won’t be a while before the film is given the ‘Hit’ verdict.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui teams up with Mission Impossible actor for new heist film
9:21 AM
Rohit Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 21, 2025)
As Nawazuddin Siddiqui gears up for his big Diwali release Thamma, we have exclusively learned that the actor is set to appear in a never-seen-before role in an upcoming heist film tentatively titled Faraar, where he will be seen portraying a Physics professor.
Joining him is actor Ilia Volok, known for his roles in franchises like Mission Impossible, G.I. Joe, and Indiana Jones, who will play the antagonist. Actor Nimisha Sajayan, famed for her work in Dabba Cartel, is also part of the cast. Spanish composer Iván Martínez Lacámara, who scored the hit series Money Heist, will produce the background music for Faraar.
Regarding the choice of Ilia for the film, director Kushagra Sharma shares, “It was a creative decision driven by the desire to reintroduce the essence of a powerful, layered villain while breaking away from conventional portrayals. As cinema becomes increasingly global, it is essential to bring together two performers who embody depth, intensity, and authenticity.”
He added, “With the Money Heist composers crafting the background score, audiences can expect a sound that takes the thrill to the next level, turning the film into a true big-screen experience.”
Attempts to reach Nawazuddin for comment were unsuccessful.
(Crisp) Movie Review: THAMMA by FENIL SETA
4:07 PM
Thamma's trailer is underwhelming but the film is not. It starts on an intriguing note and then turns hilarious and also 'bloody'. The intermission point is dramatic while the second half has its share of action and drama. The climax is gripping but at the same time, it is underwhelming compared to the previous films of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. The same goes for the songs. The lead character development is too quick; his professional life and friends serve no purpose. Lastly, the second half is stretched. Ayushmann Khurrana is superb as always and it's a pleasure to see him after more than two years. Rashmika Mandanna delivers her best performance in a Bollywood movie and it's clear that she has worked on her craft. Nawazuddin Siddiqui's performance has a hangover of his act from Kick. But no complaints as he's too good and raises laughs. Paresh Rawal is entertaining while Geeta Agarwal Sharma and Faisal Malik lend able support. Sathyaraj is lovely in a cameo. All in all, Thamma is yet another entertaining film from the exciting Maddock Horror Comedy Universe.
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
My rating - *** ½ out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 904
10:40 PM
INDUSTRY GEARS UP FOR THE GRAND DIWALI RELEASES
In less than a week, the Diwali releases, namely Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, will be arriving in theatres. Since Diwali this time falls on Monday, October 20, the makers of both the films have decided to go for a mid-week release. Hence, the films will hit the theatres on Tuesday, October 21.
Thamma belongs to the much-loved Maddock Horror Comedy Universe and is set in the same world as Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya. It stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal. It is directed by Aditya Sarpotdar of Munjya fame. The trailer and assets promise an ample dose of horror and comedy and visually, it looks striking. Shraddha Kapoor, the lead actress of Stree, unveiled the trailer of Thamma; in a way, it gave a hint that she would be present in the film. The makers have further indicated that there are several surprises in the film, possibly cameos.
However, until now, the film hasn’t been able to generate the kind of hype that was created by Stree or Stree 2. The songs have always been a big draw for the universe. Until now, the songs of Thamma have definitely been noticed but haven’t become chartbusters.
The advance booking hasn’t commenced and it would be a bit difficult to guess the opening day figures. But since it’s a Diwali release, features popular names and is a part of a big franchise, it will open in double digits and can even cross the Rs. 15 or 20 crore mark. The next two days, Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23, are also holidays, while the weekend will commence from October 24. As a result, Thamma will have the advantage of a six-day weekend. A good word of mouth will lead to a jump in earnings from October 22.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is directed by Milap Zaveri and stars Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa. It is Harshvardhan’s first release after his 2016 intense love story, Sanam Teri Kasam, became a super-hit upon its re-release. Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is also in the same zone. The songs have worked big time, which has added to its buzz. The makers have gone for the Saiyaara model of promotion. In other words, the makers haven’t held any event or allowed the team to give interviews.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat should open at Rs. 7-8 crores with an outside chance of double digit opening as well. It seems like the B and C centres will patronize the film more, at least on its release day. Hence, positive reports are crucial for the film to break out in the metro cities and also for a healthy lifetime.
Hence, a day 1 of around Rs. 30 crore is expected from both the films. This number is nowhere close to the Rs. 73.25 crores collectively accumulated by the 2024 Diwali releases, Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, on the first day. But this was expected as Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat are not the biggest films of the year. But as they have the advantage of the holiday period and their genres are massy, sky's the limit, provided the word of mouth is positive. If reports are bad, it’ll prove detrimental from the second day itself.
In less than a week, the Diwali releases, namely Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, will be arriving in theatres. Since Diwali this time falls on Monday, October 20, the makers of both the films have decided to go for a mid-week release. Hence, the films will hit the theatres on Tuesday, October 21.
Thamma belongs to the much-loved Maddock Horror Comedy Universe and is set in the same world as Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya. It stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal. It is directed by Aditya Sarpotdar of Munjya fame. The trailer and assets promise an ample dose of horror and comedy and visually, it looks striking. Shraddha Kapoor, the lead actress of Stree, unveiled the trailer of Thamma; in a way, it gave a hint that she would be present in the film. The makers have further indicated that there are several surprises in the film, possibly cameos.
However, until now, the film hasn’t been able to generate the kind of hype that was created by Stree or Stree 2. The songs have always been a big draw for the universe. Until now, the songs of Thamma have definitely been noticed but haven’t become chartbusters.
The advance booking hasn’t commenced and it would be a bit difficult to guess the opening day figures. But since it’s a Diwali release, features popular names and is a part of a big franchise, it will open in double digits and can even cross the Rs. 15 or 20 crore mark. The next two days, Wednesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 23, are also holidays, while the weekend will commence from October 24. As a result, Thamma will have the advantage of a six-day weekend. A good word of mouth will lead to a jump in earnings from October 22.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is directed by Milap Zaveri and stars Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa. It is Harshvardhan’s first release after his 2016 intense love story, Sanam Teri Kasam, became a super-hit upon its re-release. Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is also in the same zone. The songs have worked big time, which has added to its buzz. The makers have gone for the Saiyaara model of promotion. In other words, the makers haven’t held any event or allowed the team to give interviews.
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat should open at Rs. 7-8 crores with an outside chance of double digit opening as well. It seems like the B and C centres will patronize the film more, at least on its release day. Hence, positive reports are crucial for the film to break out in the metro cities and also for a healthy lifetime.
Hence, a day 1 of around Rs. 30 crore is expected from both the films. This number is nowhere close to the Rs. 73.25 crores collectively accumulated by the 2024 Diwali releases, Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, on the first day. But this was expected as Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat are not the biggest films of the year. But as they have the advantage of the holiday period and their genres are massy, sky's the limit, provided the word of mouth is positive. If reports are bad, it’ll prove detrimental from the second day itself.
My unconventional voice became my biggest strength-Madhubanti Bagchi
10:23 AM
Following up her smash hit ‘Aaj Ki Raat’ with the latest song from ‘Thamma’, Madhubanti Bagchi on breaking into the industry with an unusual voice and dance numbers
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 13, 2025)
When Tamannaah Bhatia dazzled in Aaj Ki Raat from Stree 2 (2024), it promised a resurgence of special dance numbers. The popular song also guaranteed something else — the breakthrough of a unique voice, Madhubanti Bagchi. Even though she had been singing Hindi film songs since 2019, it took Sachin-Jigar’s composition to mark her arrival. Now that she has reunited with the composers for Tum Mere Na Huye, a dance song in Thamma, mid-day speaks to her about new fame, fear of typecasting, and the challenge of having an unusual voice. Excerpts from the interview.
Tum Mere Na Huye marks another collaboration with composers Sachin-Jigar. What was their brief for the song?
They wanted the song to be intimate yet cinematic, something that would not just complement the narrative of Thamma, but also stand strong as an individual piece of music. Sachin-Jigar added their signature depth to the composition, ensuring that every note had its own space to breathe. For me, the challenge and joy were to bring that vision alive vocally.
Your collaboration with them is turning out to be solid — first Aaj Ki Raat, now the Thamma song.
Working with Sachin-Jigar has always been a creatively fulfilling experience. Aaj Ki Raat gave us a chance to explore a high-energy, dynamic sound. With the Thamma track, we ventured into a space that is far more emotional. That contrast speaks volumes about their versatility. What I admire most is how they bring out the best in every singer. They know exactly how to guide you, yet give you the freedom to interpret and make the song your own. With them, it never feels transactional, it feels like a true collaboration.
You’ve emerged as one of the most sought-after voices in Hindi cinema. How validating has it been to experience this rise?
It feels gratifying and quite humbling. Every singer dreams of their voice reaching millions, but when filmmakers and composers of such calibre trust you repeatedly, it becomes the highest form of validation. What excites me most is the diversity. I’ve lent my voice to some of the most popular leading ladies of today. To adapt my singing to bring alive their emotions on screen has been a challenge as well as a joy.
Your rise is also special because your voice is unconventional for Hindi playback. Was it difficult to get the big break?
It’s true that my voice is different from the usual palette in Hindi playback. Breaking in wasn’t instant, there were moments of doubt. But I always focused on staying true to my sound rather than fitting into a mould. What helped was finding the right collaborators — composers like Sachin-Jigar, Pritam da, and Amit Trivedi, and filmmakers like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who were willing to experiment and give my voice space to tell the story authentically. Once that alignment happened, things started clicking. In the end, I feel fortunate that what initially seemed unconventional became my biggest strength.
Having voiced dance numbers one after another, do you fear getting typecast?
I’ve had several dance numbers, but each one has its own personality. At the same time, I actively seek out projects that challenge me vocally. I have sung in Heeramandi [2024] and Coke Studio. Rather than fearing typecasting, I focus on growth and experimentation.
Your singing influences in Hindi cinema?
Begum Akhtar for her depth and mastery in ghazals, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle for their range and timeless appeal and Arijit Singh for redefining contemporary playback with his emotive singing.
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