Thamma — Hidden References & Pop Culture Callbacks

Mumbai, October 25, 2025: Ayushmann Khurrana’s new film “Thamma” is a big hit. The movie released this Diwali and is making a lot of money. It stars Ayushmann, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. People are loving this new horror-comedy.

But “Thamma” is not just a simple movie. It is part of a bigger world. The makers have hidden many “Easter eggs” and references. These are small, fun secrets for fans to find. These details connect “Thamma” to other big movies.

If you watched the film, you might have felt some scenes were familiar. Here is a guide to all the hidden references and pop culture callbacks in “Thamma.”

Thamma — The Big MHCU Connection

The most important thing to know is that “Thamma” is not a standalone film. It is the fifth movie in the “Maddock Horror Comedy Universe” (MHCU). This universe also includes “Stree” (2018), “Bhediya” (2022), “Munjya” (2024), and “Stree 2” (2024).

The makers, Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, are building an Indian “Avengers” with monsters. “Thamma” is a big piece of that puzzle.

Cameo 1: The Return of ‘Bhediya’

The biggest surprise for fans was the special appearance of Varun Dhawan. He returns as Bhaskar, the “Bhediya.”

This is not just a small scene. Bhediya and Thamma (Ayushmann’s Betaal) have a big fight. In the movie, Bhediya needs to drink the blood of a “Betaal” (vampire) to become more powerful. This leads to a thrilling fight between the two heroes. This cameo connects the two films directly.

Cameo 2: The Man Who Connects Everything

There is one character who is in all the MHCU films. It is Jana, played by Abhishek Banerjee.

Jana is the friend of Stree (Rajkummar Rao) and Bhediya (Varun Dhawan). In “Thamma,” Jana appears again. He is seen talking to a new character, Elvis Karim Prabhakar (played by Sathyaraj from “Baahubali”).

Jana is worried about his friend Bhaskar (Bhediya) and is looking for a cure. This scene proves that Jana is the common link who knows all the monsters.

Cameo 3: The Villain from ‘Stree 2’

The ending of “Thamma” has a huge twist. After Ayushmann defeats the evil Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), a new villain appears.

This new villain is “Sarkata,” the headless monster from “Stree 2.”

Sarkata frees Yakshasan from his prison. This shows that the main villains of the universe are now teaming up. It sets the stage for a future movie where all heroes (Stree, Bhediya, Thamma) will have to fight them together.

Desi Vampires, Not Western

The makers have been very clear about this. The creatures in “Thamma” are not “vampires” like in Hollywood movies.

Ayushmann’s character is a “Betaal.” This is a direct reference to the “Vikram-Betaal” stories from Indian folklore (Baital Pachisi). These are ancient Indian tales about a spirit that lives in corpses.

The film also connects the Betaals to Indian mythology. It talks about the demon Raktabija. This makes the monster feel completely Indian, not like a copy of “Twilight” or “Dracula.”

Funny Pop Culture Jokes

The movie is also full of small, clever jokes.

• ‘Ayushmann Bhava’: In one scene, Paresh Rawal (who plays Ayushmann’s father) blesses his son by saying “Ayushmann Bhava.” This is a common Sanskrit blessing that means “long life.” It is a funny joke because the hero’s name is Ayushmann.
• Freedom Fighter Dialogue: The villain Yakshasan (Nawazuddin) has a famous line. He tells Ayushmann, “Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe aiyaashi karata hoon” (You give me blood, I will make you enjoy life). This is a funny twist on the famous words of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• Panchayat Connection: In the film’s teaser, fans spotted actor Faisal Malik. He is famous for playing Prahlad Cha in the web series “Panchayat.” His small role got a big cheer from the audience.
• Classic Songs: Nawazuddin’s evil character is seen singing the old, happy song “Panchhi Banoon.” Using a sweet old song for a villain makes the scene extra creepy.

Final Word

“Thamma” is more than just one movie. It is a big chapter in a larger story. These hidden details and cameos make the film even more fun to watch. It also makes fans very excited for the next film in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe.