Dinesh Vijan is betting BIG on his upcoming horror-comedy, and the stakes are higher than ever! Is this a stroke of genius, or a recipe for disaster? His next film, 'Thamma,' starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, is poised to be the most expensive entry in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, with a staggering budget of ₹145 crores! That's a HUGE investment, especially in a post-COVID Bollywood landscape where mid-budget films have been surprisingly successful.
But here's where it gets controversial... Can 'Thamma' truly justify its massive price tag? Will audiences flock to see Ayushmann and Rashmika in this horror-comedy, or will the film struggle to recoup its costs?
According to sources close to Bollywood Hungama, 'Thamma' has a production budget of approximately ₹125 crores. In addition, around ₹20 crores has been allocated for print and publicity costs. This puts the total cost of the film at a hefty ₹145 crores. To put that into perspective, this makes 'Thamma' even more expensive than 'Stree 2,' which had a budget of ₹125 crores, including print and publicity.
"Thamma is the most expensive and ambitious film of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. With VFX companies of international repute working on it... the final landing cost of Thamma will fall in the vicinity of Rs. 145 crores," a source revealed. This investment indicates a strong belief in the film's potential and the drawing power of its lead actors.
And this is the part most people miss... Vijan isn't just throwing money at the project; he's strategically leveraging the established success of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. Think of it like Marvel building on the Avengers franchise. Each film benefits from the built-in audience and brand recognition. The success of 'Stree,' 'Roohi,' and 'Bhediya' has paved the way for 'Thamma' to potentially become a major hit.
The source highlights that Vijan is confident in his decision, stating, "He truly believes in the magic of content, which has resulted in him investing such monies, and is now hoping for the lead actors to bring in the audience on opening day."
This isn't the first time Vijan has taken a calculated risk. He previously backed 'Chhaava' with Vicky Kaushal, a film that some considered a gamble. But it paid off. Now, Vijan is hoping for a similar outcome with 'Thamma,' banking on the film's content and the star power of Khurrana and Mandanna to attract audiences during the Diwali 2025 release.
'Thamma' is slated for release on October 21st, and distributors are reportedly demanding a significant 70% of the total screen share across India. This aggressive distribution strategy underscores the high expectations surrounding the film.
Also Read: Thamma vs Deewaniyat: Will the superstar-less Diwali after 22 years bring in box office rewards? Trade experts share their views (link to the original article)
More Pages: Thamma Box Office Collection (link to the box office collection page)
So, what do you think? Is Dinesh Vijan making a smart move by investing so heavily in 'Thamma'? Will Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna prove to be a box office draw? Or is this an overconfident bet that could backfire? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Will the lack of a 'superstar' during this Diwali season actually help the film, or will it struggle against the competition? Let's discuss!
