Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, has received mixed reviews upon its release on October 21, 2025. Netizens generally praise it as a crowd-pleaser and a Diwali Dhamaka, highlighting its engaging mix of horror, comedy, and emotional depth. Critics and audiences have appreciated Khurrana's performance as a vampire and Mandanna's natural acting, though some find the screenplay slow in parts and the climax overdone. The film is part of Maddock Films' expanding horror-comedy universe, which includes previous hits like Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya. Thamma features surprise cameos and teases potential appearances by Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan, expanding the franchise's universe. The film's box office prediction suggests a decent opening with over 1.45 lakh tickets sold in pre-sales and an estimated first-day collection of Rs 18-20 crore. The movie introduces new characters and hints at future sequels, including Thamma 2, which is confirmed to release after other upcoming films such as Shakti Shalini, Bhediya 2, and Stree 3. The franchise plans to release multiple films through 2026-2029, with some titles like Chamunda and Bhediya 2 scheduled for 2026, and Stree 3 and Maha Munjya set for 2027. The franchise aims to emulate a Marvel-style universe, culminating in twin Mahayudh movies in 2028, with Thamma 2 possibly extending into 2029.