Niren Bhatt, known for writing Maddock Films’ hits Stree and Bhediya, recently opened up about the inspiration behind their upcoming horror-comedy Thamma.
He shared that Thamma isn’t based on Western vampire myths. Instead, it draws from an ancient Indian folk tale, giving it a deeply rooted cultural identity.
According to Niren, the story comes from Betal in the classic Singhasan Battisi, a familiar character in Indian folklore and literature. He explained that tales of supernatural beings have existed in India for thousands of years, long before shows like The Vampire Diaries made vampires popular in the West.
He stressed that every culture has its own supernatural figures, but India’s Betal stories show that vampire-like beings were already part of Indian tradition. Niren said it was time this legacy found space in modern storytelling.
The film, he added, reimagines the Betal tale for today’s audiences. It doesn’t imitate Western vampires but creates a character shaped by Indian mythology and moral conflict.
Niren also mentioned that Thamma balances horror with humor while exploring social themes a hallmark of Maddock Films’ Horror/Comedy Universe.
He said the story holds a mirror to society, reflecting both good and evil, while keeping viewers entertained. The team conducted extensive research on supernatural lore to ensure the story stayed authentic and culturally rooted.
Niren hopes Thamma becomes known as India’s own supernatural saga a tribute to the nation’s mythological history told through fresh, engaging storytelling.
Thamma marks the fifth film in Maddock’s successful horror-comedy universe. It stars Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar. The film releases in theatres on October 21, 2025, during the Diwali festive season.
