Thamma Box Office Collection: Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s Horror Comedy Opens Strong with ₹24 Crore on Day 1

A Festival Treat for Moviegoers

The much-awaited film Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, has finally hit theatres, and the box office numbers are speaking volumes. Released on 21st October 2025, just before Diwali, Thamma has successfully pulled audiences back to theatres, making it one of the biggest openings for Ayushmann’s career so far.

The movie, produced under Maddock Films, continues the studio’s signature “Horror-Comedy Universe” (MHCU) — the same cinematic world that gave us hits like Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya. With Thamma, the makers have tried to blend spine-chilling suspense with situational humor, and the results are paying off handsomely at the ticket counters.

A Promising Start at the Box Office

On its opening day, Thamma recorded an impressive ₹24–25 crore in net collections across India, according to early estimates. This marks Ayushmann Khurrana’s biggest-ever opening in his career, surpassing all his previous films in terms of Day 1 earnings.

Trade analysts report that the film grossed over ₹25 crore, with strong occupancy in metro cities such as Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Pune, and Bengaluru. The morning occupancy started around 15%, but by the afternoon and evening shows, it jumped to nearly 40–45%, with several multiplexes going houseful by night.

Advance bookings also painted a strong picture, bringing in more than ₹6 crore before release — signaling that the buzz, though moderate at first, converted well during the Diwali weekend.

The Competition and the Buzz

When Thamma was announced, many trade experts felt it would have a tough time competing with other Diwali releases like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Raid 2. However, Ayushmann and Rashmika’s fresh pairing, along with the curiosity around its horror-comedy theme, gave the film a clear edge among family audiences.

Despite mixed early reviews from critics, the audience response has been far more positive. Many viewers appreciated the film’s blend of humor and supernatural tension, along with Ayushmann’s comic timing and Rashmika’s charming screen presence. Word of mouth quickly spread across social media, and that organic buzz helped Thamma register a strong Day 1.

Budget and Expectations

With a reported budget of ₹125–150 crore, Thamma is one of the most expensive films in the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe. The visual effects, large-scale set designs, and high-quality sound production all contribute to its cinematic appeal.

Given this budget, the film needs to perform consistently over the coming week to ensure profitability. But with the festive season and public holidays ahead, box office experts predict that Thamma has a good chance of crossing the ₹100 crore mark within its first extended weekend.

If that happens, the film will cement its place as one of 2025’s biggest hits.

Audience Response: Fun, Fear, and Family Entertainment

Audience feedback on social media has been overwhelmingly positive. Viewers are calling Thamma a “perfect Diwali entertainer” — something that mixes laughter, emotion, and a few jump scares, making it a family-friendly horror experience.

“Ayushmann is back with his signature charm and comic timing,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
“Rashmika is a delight to watch, and the chemistry between them feels fresh and natural,” said another.

Families, couples, and college crowds seem to be enjoying the film in equal measure. In multiplexes, especially in urban areas, Thamma has seen strong word-of-mouth pull, which could translate into healthy growth over the weekend.

Box Office Highlights So Far

Strongest Opening in Ayushmann’s Career

For Ayushmann Khurrana, Thamma marks a career milestone. Known for his content-driven films like Bala, Dream Girl, and Andhadhun, Ayushmann hadn’t yet delivered a mega-opening at this scale. Thamma has changed that.

The film’s energetic trailers and songs helped build curiosity, while Ayushmann’s growing mass appeal has expanded beyond urban centers to smaller towns. With Rashmika adding her pan-India fan base to the mix, the film was always destined to perform well across regions.

Comparisons Within the Horror-Comedy Universe

Within the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe (MHCU), Thamma currently ranks as the second-highest opener, just behind Stree 2, which had an opening of nearly ₹55 crore.

Compared to other films in the franchise:

• Stree (2018) opened at ₹6.8 crore and went on to collect ₹129 crore lifetime.
• Bhediya (2022) started at ₹12 crore and earned around ₹65 crore.
• Munjya (2024) surprised everyone with ₹20 crore opening weekend and strong word of mouth.

Thamma’s ₹25 crore opening thus establishes it as the next big chapter in this successful cinematic universe.

What Works for Thamma

1. Festival Release: Launching around Diwali gave it the perfect timing. Families look for light-hearted entertainment during holidays, and Thamma fits that mood perfectly.
2. Star Chemistry: Ayushmann and Rashmika’s fresh pairing feels vibrant and engaging.
3. Genre Appeal: The horror-comedy format appeals to a wide audience — it’s spooky but never too scary.
4. Music & Cinematography: The songs have already gone viral on social platforms, and the film’s visuals add to its cinematic charm.
5. Franchise Factor: The connection to the MHCU builds trust among audiences familiar with Stree and Munjya.

Challenges Ahead

While Thamma has opened strong, sustaining momentum will be key. The film faces competition from ongoing releases and upcoming holiday blockbusters.

Moreover, its high production cost means it needs a minimum of ₹130–150 crore in India to break even and around ₹180 crore globally to be called a blockbuster. Overseas collections have started slow, but they could pick up as the film expands internationally over the weekend.

If the second-day numbers hold above ₹20 crore and the Sunday bump crosses ₹30 crore, Thamma could comfortably enter the ₹100 crore club by Day 4 or 5.

Critical Reception

Critics have given Thamma mixed-to-positive reviews. Most agree that it’s not perfect, but it’s entertaining and well-paced. The first half leans on humor, while the second half explores emotional depth and some eerie moments.

Ayushmann’s performance stands out for his comic precision, while Rashmika brings warmth and natural charisma. Supporting actors like Abhishek Banerjee and Rajesh Sharma also earn laughs.

The film may not reinvent the wheel for horror-comedy, but it balances scares and laughter effectively — something few Bollywood films manage to do well.

Day 2 and Beyond: What’s Next?

Early trends suggest Thamma might witness a 10–15% growth on Day 2, especially due to the festive holidays. Single screens in North India and multiplex chains in metro cities are expected to carry the momentum forward.

If the word of mouth continues to stay positive, trade experts predict that Thamma could end its first weekend at ₹65–70 crore net, which would be a strong foundation for a profitable run ahead.

Final Verdict: A Winning Start

Thamma is off to a flying start at the box office. Its entertaining mix of comedy, chills, and festive charm makes it a crowd-pleaser. For Ayushmann Khurrana, it’s a comeback moment to the big stage, and for Rashmika Mandanna, it’s another feather in her growing Bollywood cap.

The film’s opening numbers—₹24 crore on Day 1—prove that good content and clever release timing can still pull audiences into theatres. While it remains to be seen how well Thamma sustains over the coming weeks, one thing is certain: the horror-comedy wave in Bollywood is far from over, and Thamma has just given it a fresh new push.

In short:

Thamma has emerged as one of 2025’s most successful openings, charming both critics and audiences with its humor, horror, and heart. With strong weekend numbers expected, the film could soon join Bollywood’s ₹100 crore club and solidify Ayushmann’s standing as one of the most bankable stars in Indian cinema.