Ayushmann Khurrana on Thamma, Bhediya Crossover & MHCU Future

Ayushmann Khurrana is buzzing about the phenomenal success of his latest film, Thamma, and dished on his unique role, the epic "Bhediya vs Thamma" crossover, and what fans can expect from the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe!

TL;DR

Ayushmann Khurrana's Thamma has smashed box office records, becoming his 5th film to join the ₹100 crore club and reaching a global ₹150 crore.
He loved playing Betaal, a man-turned-vampire, calling it his first "fantastical" action role, which significantly expanded his fanbase to include Gen Alpha!
The actor is super keen on more crossovers within the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), especially a dedicated "Bhediya vs Thamma" film and meeting his brother Aparshakti Khurrana's character.

Bollywood's beloved experimental actor, Ayushmann Khurrana, is absolutely on cloud nine, and for good reason! His latest flick, Thamma, where he plays the intriguing character Betaal, has not just charmed audiences but has also become a box office monster. We're talking big numbers, a growing fanbase, and some seriously cool action sequences!

In recent exclusive chats, Ayushmann spilled the tea on everything from his transformative role to the exhilarating future of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). If you loved Thamma, you're going to want to hear this!

Ayushmann Khurrana's Electrifying Transformation into Betaal for Thamma

Playing Betaal, a man-turned-vampire, in Thamma has been a game-changer for Ayushmann. Known for his "realistic" and layered performances in films like Andhadhun and Dream Girl, this role took him into uncharted, fantastical territory. And he's clearly thriving!

"I've never done action like that. Itna fantastical movie maine kabhi nahi ki hai, maine hamesha realistic filmein ki hain," he shared, adding, "Because of Thamma, I'm more comfortable with action now." It sounds like this role has unlocked a whole new side of his acting prowess, making him an action hero we never knew we needed!

Reaching a New Generation of Fans with Action-Packed Fun

One of the sweetest victories for Ayushmann is how Thamma has resonated with younger audiences. The film's broad appeal, especially the high-octane "Bhediya vs Betaal" (or "Thamma") fight sequence, has made him a hit with kids – what he affectionately calls "Gen Alpha."

"The love among kids has become more. Kyunki, jitni meri poorani filmein thi wo thodi, layered filmein thi. Thamma is a broad stroke film. Chahe wo Bhediya vs Betaal ka fight sequence ho... I think all the kids have loved it so I'm glad that I reached gen Alpha."

— Ayushmann Khurrana

It's always cool when actors find new ways to connect with different demographics, and it seems the horror-comedy genre, combined with some epic action, was the perfect recipe for Ayushmann.

Diving Deep into the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe's Exciting Future

Ayushmann Khurrana on Thamma's Huge Success and The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe's Future image 3

The MHCU is really starting to come into its own, bringing together fascinating characters from different films. Ayushmann is absolutely hyped about the potential for these characters to collide and create even more magic on screen.

"Sabse exciting part wahi hoga jab different characters will cross each other's paths," he expressed, echoing what many fans are already thinking. The idea of these cinematic universes isn't just a Hollywood thing anymore; Bollywood is carving out its own unique space, blending Indian folklore with modern storytelling.

The Clash of Titans: Unpacking the Epic Bhediya vs Thamma Fight

Ayushmann Khurrana on Thamma's Huge Success and The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe's Future image 4

One of the biggest highlights for fans, and for Ayushmann himself, was the much-talked-about crossover fight sequence between his Betaal character and Varun Dhawan's werewolf from Bhediya. This wasn't just a cameo; it was a moment that set the stage for bigger things!

Ayushmann clearly loved sharing the screen with Varun, a fellow actor who debuted around the same time he did back in 2012. He called Varun "one of the nicest guys and bohot acha co-actor hai." He even compared their fight choreography to dance, emphasizing the importance of rhythm between co-actors for a seamless, injury-free sequence.

Why Fans (and Ayushmann) Deserve a Dedicated "Bhediya vs Thamma" Film

If you're dreaming of a full-fledged movie just about Betaal and Bhediya duking it out, you're not alone! Ayushmann is right there with you. "Bhediya vs Thamma hona hi chahiye. That was the highlight of the film," he declared. Imagine a whole film dedicated to these two supernatural heroes – that would be absolutely wild!

He also teased about Sarkata, calling him a "supervillain" and "sabse khatarnaak wo hai" (he's the most dangerous), especially after he "took Nawazuddin Siddiqui's character away." This hints at even bigger threats lurking in the MHCU!

The Story Behind "Vikaspuri Ke Wolverine": Ayushmann's Improvisational Genius

Remember that super viral, hilarious line from Thamma, "Vikaspuri ke Wolverine"? Well, turns out that gem was pure Ayushmann magic! He revealed that the line was an improvisation, a spontaneous addition that came from his own connection to Delhi.

"That was my improv. Delhi meh meri pehli job thi... Delhi is like second home. Toh mujhe laga ki wahan ka local flavour aana chahiye," he explained. He loved the alliteration, the "anupras alankar," that made "Vikaspuri ke Wolverine" just click. It's these little personal touches that make his performances so memorable!

Behind-the-Scenes Shenanigans: Ayushmann Khurrana's Apology to Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Working on set isn't always smooth sailing, especially during action sequences. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who also stars in Thamma alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Paresh Rawal, recently shared a funny (and slightly painful) anecdote from filming.

"My experience was terrible! [Laughs] Only because he hit me once and broke my fake tooth. But to his credit, he was very apologetic. He even sent flowers to my house—more than he's ever sent his wife, apparently."

— Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Ayushmann, naturally, felt terrible about the incident. "Yes, it's true! I apologized a thousand times. I had to hit him fifty times in the film, and just once, it connected. Thankfully, it was a fake tooth!" he recounted. This light-hearted moment highlights the camaraderie and positive atmosphere on the set, proving that even with a little mishap, a good working relationship makes all the difference.

Thamma's Monstrous Box Office Success: Cracking the Coveted 100 Crore Club

Let's talk numbers! Thamma hasn't just been a critical darling; it's a commercial powerhouse. The film roared into cinemas on October 21, 2025, and on its opening day, it raked in a massive ₹25 crore worldwide. That's a huge start!

It absolutely blew past the opening day numbers of other popular MHCU films:

Thamma: ₹25 crore
Bhediya (2022): ₹7.48 crore
Stree (2018): ₹6.82 crore
Munjya: ₹4 crore

Even better, Thamma has officially entered the coveted ₹100 crore club, making it Ayushmann Khurrana's fifth film to achieve this milestone. And it's still going strong, reportedly "slowly inching towards touching the ₹150 crore mark globally." This success is a clear signal that audiences are loving the horror-comedy blend and Ayushmann's fresh take on the genre.

Brotherly Bonds and Meta Jokes: Ayushmann's Hopes for Aparshakti in MHCU

Fans also got a delightful dose of meta-humor in Thamma when Abhishek Banerjee's character, Jana, mistakenly called Ayushmann's Alok "Bittu" – a direct nod to Aparshakti Khurrana's character in Stree! This wasn't even in the original script!

Ayushmann revealed that this meta joke was a last-minute inclusion by either director Amar Kaushik or Abhishek Banerjee himself, and it was tough to keep a straight face while filming it. "It required two-three takes for us to get it right because I used to burst out laughing. It was a great meta joke!" he said.

And speaking of brothers, Ayushmann is absolutely looking forward to a proper on-screen collaboration with his real-life brother, Aparshakti, within the MHCU. Aparshakti played Bittu in Stree (2018) and Stree 2 (2024), so the potential for a brotherly crossover is definitely there. "I'm really looking forward to crossing paths with my brother. It would be crazy," Ayushmann shared, and honestly, we agree!

Beyond Bollywood: Ayushmann Khurrana's Vision for India's Unique Cinematic Universe

While Hollywood might be famous for its cinematic universes, Ayushmann believes it's essential not to seek validation from the West. He emphasizes that the MHCU's stories are deeply "Indianized," rooted in ancient folklores like Vikram-Betaal, which served as the genesis for Thamma.

"We shouldn't seek validation from the West. Our stories are very Indianised... The merging of the characters is seamless and they aren't just guest appearances. It's not forced. It only helps take the universe forward and that's the beauty of MHCU," he proudly stated.

For Ayushmann, the immense public validation for Thamma is the most gratifying part. It means he's reaching a wider audience and now feels a "good kind of pressure" to deliver even more. With such success and exciting plans, the future looks bright for Ayushmann Khurrana and the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe!

Frequently Asked Questions About Thamma and the MHCU

When was Ayushmann Khurrana's movie Thamma released in cinemas?

Thamma, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, was released in theatres on October 21, 2025.

What is Ayushmann Khurrana's role in Thamma?

Ayushmann Khurrana plays the character of Betaal, a man-turned-vampire who is also a journalist-historian named Alok, in Thamma.

Did Thamma perform well at the box office?

Yes, Thamma has been a huge success! It opened with ₹25 crore worldwide on its first day and has already entered the ₹100 crore club, making it Ayushmann Khurrana's fifth film to do so. It's also inching towards the ₹150 crore global mark.

What is the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU)?

The MHCU is a cinematic universe created by Maddock Films, bringing together characters from horror-comedy films like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, and now Thamma. The idea is for these characters to cross paths and interact in future films, creating a shared narrative world based on Indian folklore.