Bollywood is preparing to sink its teeth into a new genre with Thama, a vampire drama starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna. The film, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, promises to blend Indian folklore with gothic romance, offering audiences a fresh spin on supernatural storytelling. Scheduled for a Diwali 2025 release, Thama has already sparked conversations across cinephile circles with its teaser.
The Concept: Vampires Meet Indian History
Unlike typical vampire tales inspired by the West, Thama attempts to root its story in Indian soil. According to the film’s makers, the plot stretches across two time periods and links vampire mythology to the Vijayanagar Empire. Ayushmann plays Alok, a historian who traces the mysterious origins of vampires, while Rashmika reportedly essays a vampire torn between love and curse.
This cultural anchoring could prove to be the film’s biggest strength, similar to how Stree and Munjya worked by connecting supernatural elements with Indian legends.
Why It Matters: Breaking Bollywood’s Horror Pattern
Bollywood has long flirted with horror but often through recycled tropes of daayans, chudails, or nagins—deeply rooted in Indian tradition. Vampires, however, have rarely found footing here, often dismissed as “too Western.”
- Stree 2 (2024) and Munjya (2024) proved that audiences welcome horror when it feels homegrown.
- On the other hand, Bhediya (2022), despite good intentions, felt too Westernised and alien to many viewers.
The critical question: Can Thama overcome this cultural prejudice and make vampires relatable to Indian audiences?
The Spicy Debate: Gothic Romance or Western Wannabe?
While the teaser has been applauded for its dialogues and atmosphere, reactions remain divided. Some cine-goers are excited about the bold attempt, while others fear it might appear as an imitation of Twilight.
Here lies Bollywood’s dilemma—audiences reject content that feels like a Hollywood copy but embrace stories that celebrate Indian identity. If Thama succeeds in balancing folklore with gothic passion, it could redefine how horror-romance is perceived in India.
Star Power That Bites
Ayushmann Khurrana’s reputation for experimenting with unconventional roles makes him an ideal choice for this genre-bending film. From Andhadhun to Dream Girl, he has consistently walked the tightrope between risk and mass appeal. Rashmika Mandanna, on the other hand, has already set social media abuzz with her striking vampire look, promising glamour with depth.
The Final Word: A Risky Yet Refreshing Bite
For decades, Bollywood has thrived by retelling its own myths, but vampires have always remained outsiders. Thama dares to change that narrative. If successful, it won’t just be a film; it will be a cultural shift—proving that Indian cinema can reclaim even “imported” myths by localising them authentically.
Come Diwali 2025, audiences will decide whether Ayushmann and Rashmika’s vampire saga casts a spell or vanishes in the shadows. One thing is certain—Thama has already sunk its fangs deep into public curiosity.
By – Nikita