Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana, who achieved the biggest opener of his career with “Thamma,” recently shared insights on how he selects his film roles.
In a conversation reflecting on the film’s successful release, Ayushmann discussed whether he approaches his roles with a warrior mentality or seeks to indulge in the film’s subject matter. He described his process as a blend of both perspectives. “It’s a mix of both. I’m quite ambitious when it comes to my work. I also want to be consistent in terms of the film’s merit. I’m glad that my success ratio is one of the best in the industry regarding the hit ratio. At the same time, I’m a purist as an artist. It’s a very thin line I’m treading, being a purist yet having a commercial mindset, which is a lot of fun,” he said.
Sharing his passion for unique films, he added, “I love doing films that are unique and provoke conversations. So, I’m a risk-taker. I just have fun as an artiste, and that’s how I always wanted to be.”
Ayushmann previously mentioned that “Thamma” was “tailor-made” for him, emphasizing that it marked a significant shift from his usual boy-next-door image—where he often portrays relatable characters from the heart of India. The film, which grossed INR 25 crore nett on its opening day, tells an extravagant mythical story revolving around a vampire.
“I really feel that ‘Thamma’ was tailor-made for me because I’ve portrayed realistic, flawed characters. This transition is all the more enjoyable because people have not seen me as someone who is alpha, powerful, or good with action,” he remarked.
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Maddock Films, “Thamma” was released on 21 October 2025 during the Diwali weekend. The film features Ayushmann Khurrana as a timid journalist who becomes embroiled with a mysterious vampiric being, played by Rashmika Mandanna, set against the mythic backdrop of Betals. While part of the established horror-comedy universe (MHCU), “Thamma” leans more into romance and fantasy rather than straight horror.