It’s Diwali szn, you wake up, check Insta, and boom, everyone’s talking about Thamma’s box office numbers like it’s results day (but way less stressful). Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s spook-fest just dropped, and obvio, the expectations were as high as your chachu’s mithai stash. The Maddock horror-comedy universe set the bar with Stree and Bhediya, so this “betaal vs lovers” thriller had to deliver some serious bhaukaal. Here’s the lowdown on Thamma’s ₹24 cr Day 1, why it matters, and what the numbers (actually) tell us about the movie’s chances to become your next group-watch ritual.
1) The One With The Red-Moon Start
Image courtesy Zoom TV
Thamma just kicked off with a “not-bad, not-bhai-level” ₹24 crore on Day 1 in India. That’s with a 34.5% Hindi occupancy. Early updates from peg it between ₹24–24.87 crore, with the ‘betaal, not vampire’ Indian twist sparking desi folklore hype. It’s the fifth film in Maddock’s spook-verse, and first reactions are all about that “crowd-pleaser” Diwali mood, making us think the weekend could be wild.
2) Stree 2 Benchmark: The Bar Is High, Like Chanderi’s Ghost
Look, nostalgia check, Stree 2 owned 2024 with a ₹54 crore blast (₹46 crore official + ₹8 crore previews), making it THE Hindi opener to beat. Thamma’s ₹24 crore? Universe power is real, but turns out lightning doesn’t always strike the same spot twice, at least not on opening day. Chanderi waali Stree is still the CEO of jitters and jump-scares at the box office.
Image courtesy TOI
3) Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 Check: Horror-Comedy’s Other Heavyweight
But wait, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 walked in this Diwali with a ₹35.5 crore Day 1 and 75% occupancy. The Kartik-craze turned into a ₹100+ crore weekend, proof that full family + memey packaging still brings the crowds.
4) What’s Driving The Buzz: Folklore, Cameos, and Meme Fuel
Image courtesy TOI
Thamma doubled down on desi feels, it’s all about betaals, not western vampires, Maddock confirmed, thank you very much. Plus, it’s packed with cameos and that ensemble energy, serving up meme-fuel and making every cameo a possible meme. Don’t forget, the trailer screamed “watch with squad” vibes, so expect your group chat to flood with inside jokes and reaction GIFs soon.
5) The Weekend Gameplan: Can ₹24 Cr Become A Marathon?
Here’s where things get spicy: minimal direct clashes and Diwali holiday legs mean WOM (that’s “word of mouth,” not saas-bahu drama) is EVERYTHING. Reports showings got busier through opening day, classic festive signal, highlighting a chill 34.5% occupancy, there’s legit space to grow once everyone’s recovered from laddoo hangovers. And remember Maddock’s Munjya? Started slow, ended with century.
Thamma’s ₹24 cr day 1 is a healthy, happy Diwali starter, maybe not a record-breaker yet, but pure ‘booked tix with friends’ vibes. If the jokes land and betaal-lore keeps the gang hooked, growth toh pakka hai. Which team are you: ‘slow burn blockbuster’ or ‘ek weekend, bas’?