Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana‘s horror-comedy “Thama” has locked in a Diwali 2025 release, marking the first time the critically acclaimed actor will headline a major festive window release in his decade-plus career.
The Maddock Films production, produced by Dinesh Vijan and directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, represents a significant career escalation for Khurrana, who has built his reputation as one of Hindi-language cinema’s most bankable stars through unconventional script choices and socially conscious comedies.
“Thama” represents an expansion of Maddock’s horror-comedy universe. The studio, known for releasing films like “Stree 2,” “Munjya,” and “Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya” in a blockbuster 2024, unveiled a slate of eight interconnected films set to release over the next four years, earlier this year.
The lineup begins with “Thama,” followed by “Shakti Shalini” on Dec. 31. In 2026, audiences can expect “Bhediya 2” on Aug. 14 and “Chamunda” on Dec. 4. The following year includes “Stree 3” on Aug. 13 and “Mahamunjya” on Dec. 24. The universe will culminate in 2028 with “Pehla Mahayudh” on Aug. 11 and “Doossra Mahayudh” on Diwali, Oct. 18.
“It feels amazing to have a big Diwali release with ‘Thama.’ It is the biggest release of my career and I’m really eager to spread joy, happiness and laughter with the entire country with ‘Thama,’” Khurrana said. “The fact that my film could be one of the reasons for people to have a great festive period feels really surreal.”
The Diwali slot has traditionally been reserved for Bollywood’s biggest stars and tentpole releases, making Khurrana’s booking a testament to his box office evolution from indie darling to commercial heavyweight. “Thama” is currently the only Bollywood film releasing during the Diwali holiday frame, which falls on Oct. 20 this year.
“For me, Diwali is about togetherness, it is about family and it is about having the best community experience by spending time with your friends,” the “Vicky Donor” star said. “I’m a big movie buff and every year, I have a ritual to go to the theatres with my family and watch a film on Diwali. We have so much fun together and it makes me so happy to see scores of people thronging to the theatres to watch these big releases.”
“Thama” brings together an ensemble cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Aditya Sarpotdar directs from a screenplay by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Fulara, with Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik producing.
“I’m giving my everything for ‘Thama’ and I can see my producers Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, my director Aditya Sarpotdar and the entire team of ‘Thama’ put in every drop of their energy to make this film a truly incredible big screen experience that will be memorable for everyone,” Khurrana said.
Maddock Films gained prominence in the horror-comedy space in 2018 with “Stree,” which popularized the genre in Bollywood. The film’s blend of humor, supernatural elements and folklore struck a chord with audiences, paving the way for further exploration of the genre. This new cinematic universe is a natural evolution for the studio, bringing together characters and storylines into an interconnected narrative.
The company’s epic historical saga “Chhaava,” starring Vicky Kaushal, is the biggest Indian box office success of 2025 so far.
