Actor Ayushmann Khurrana is riding high on the success of his latest film Thamma, which opened to an impressive Rs 25.11 crore nett over its Diwali release weekend. The film, co-starring Rashmika Mandanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, is the newest addition to the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, and hit theatres on Tuesday.

Khurrana expressed his joy and gratitude for the audience’s overwhelming response, saying the film’s success proved that Diwali blockbusters don’t always need to be sequels or remakes.

“Having carved a niche with my unique, quirky films, I was eagerly waiting for that one opportunity to bring my brand of cinema on Diwali — a festival that has seen the biggest superstars release their tentpole films in,” Khurrana said.

Calling Thamma the “tentpole film” of his career, the National Award-winning actor reflected on the emotional significance of achieving a Diwali release.

“Every year, I used to go to theatres with my family to watch a superstar’s film. Today, I have gone to theatres to watch my film with my family. It feels incredible!” he added.

Directed by Amar Kaushik, Thamma combines elements of horror, humour, and emotion — a signature style that has become synonymous with the Maddock franchise. The film’s strong opening suggests that Khurrana’s gamble of blending content-driven storytelling with festive spectacle has resonated well with audiences.