Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 19: Horror meets romance in a grand spectacle titled Thama, starring Rashmika Mandanna and Ayushmann Khurrana in their first on-screen pairing. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar of Munjya fame, the film is set to release during Diwali 2026 under Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock banner.

Character posters were unveiled yesterday, while the much-anticipated teaser dropped today, offering a peek into what promises to be a bloody yet captivating love story.

The film’s opening frame hints at a not-so-ordinary romance between Ayushmann’s character Alok, a historian tracing mythological roots of vampirism in Indian folklore, and Rashmika’s Tadaka, a ray of hope balancing chaos and love. But the teaser quickly takes a chilling turn, introducing obstacles between the star-crossed lovers.

Adding to the mix is Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Yakshasan, the sinister “King of Darkness”, and Paresh Rawal as Ram Bajaj Goyal, who injects humour into the eerie proceedings. From intense forest chases to Malaika Arora’s dazzling dance number, the teaser packs glimpses of mega entertainment.

The narrative unfolds across two timelines — modern-day India and the ancient Vijayanagar kingdom — weaving together horror, mythology, and a tale of unfulfilled love.

Thama also marks the first love story in the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe, blending romance, blood-soaked horror, and comic relief on a large scale.