Ayushmann Khurrana has firmly established himself as Bollywood’s Master of Uniqueness, consistently choosing quirky, unconventional films that defy norms while delivering blockbuster success. With his first Diwali release, Thamma is produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). With Thamma Box Office collection, Ayushmann has achieved a career milestone — an astounding ₹25.11 crore nett opening in India, marking his biggest opening ever.
This remarkable debut positions Thamma box office as the highest-opening origin story within the MHCU, which also includes Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya (with Stree 2 being a franchise installment). The film now lays the foundation for a Thamma franchise poised to grow even further.
“I’m an entertainer at heart, and seeing audiences embrace Thamma and my performance during the festive Diwali season brings me immense joy,” Ayushmann shared. “When Dinesh Vijan told me the film would release on Diwali, I was thrilled — it was a dream I had always wished for in my career. Having my brand of cinema on a festival known for superstar releases feels surreal.”
For the first time, a star renowned for unique, quirky films has owned the Diwali box office, surpassing trade expectations and proving that great content featuring Ayushmann is a winning formula. “This is almost a validation of my journey in Hindi cinema. Dinesh trusted me to portray a character with no reference — an Indian ‘betaal’ — and seeing audiences enjoy the joyride in theatres is truly incredible,” he added.
The film is set to deliver the biggest opening weekend of Ayushmann’s career, introducing a memorable character to the MHCU while reinforcing his unmatched record: nearly 90 percent of his unconventional comedies have been hits or blockbusters. This track record gives producers the confidence to offer him bold, original projects that only he can bring to life.
Ayushmann reflects, “The love we’ve received on day one challenges the notion that audiences only want sequels, remakes, or superstar films during Diwali. Families and children are coming together to watch Thamma, and that’s the most gratifying feeling for any actor. Experiencing a film of mine succeed on such a significant release date is something I’ll always cherish.”
