Thamma walks in with the intent of something that knows it is part of a much larger story, yet manages to stand tall on its own.
Aditya Sarpotdar crafts a tale rooted in legend, but driven by the pulse of today. The mythological forest where the film opens feels alive—lush, dangerous, sacred. This isn’t fantasy for spectacle’s sake. It’s myth with memory. There’s reverence in the storytelling, but also a sense of mischief. The world feels both ancient and startlingly new.
Ayushmann Khurrana leads with heart. As Alok, he brings the kind of vulnerability that doesn’t often survive in genre cinema. His transformation is painful, brave, and oddly beautiful. Rashmika Mandanna surprises at every turn. There’s grit in her presence, but also stillness—she plays Tadaka with a calm that commands attention, never begging for it.
The film moves with ambition. It introduces characters, hints at timelines, teases connections—but never loses its emotional centre. When the big moments arrive, they feel earned.
It’s cinematic without being loud, magical without losing grip on meaning.
Performances across the board hold weight. Nawazuddin Siddiqui slips into this universe with the ease of someone who’s always belonged. Paresh Rawal brings a lived-in warmth, and Sathyaraj, as the enigmatic Elvis, is one of those characters that sticks in the mind long after.
Thamma refuses to treat mysticism as a gimmick. There’s philosophy hidden in its humour, depth in its action, and emotion running quietly beneath even the loudest scenes. The film doesn’t shout to be noticed. It lets the story do the talking.
And it leaves you wanting more—in the best way possible.
IWMBuzz rates it 3.5/5 stars.
