Vijan’s Vision Blurs: Thamma’s Tepid Reception Signals Trouble for MHCU

The much-anticipated MHCU (Maddock Horror Comedy Universe) entry, Thamma, was touted as the most ambitious chapter yet, with its biggest ever budget, high-profile cast, and bold supernatural stakes. But instead of rousing cheers, the film’s launch has triggered online mockery, critical backlash, and fan disillusionment. Rather than reinvigorating the universe, Thamma risks becoming its turning point.

Here’s a deeper look into how and why Vijan (and MHCU) might be in trouble.

Cast, Budget & Expectations: The Stakes Were Sky-High

Cast and teamThamma is directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and written by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Falara. It brings together a strong ensemble: Ayushmann Khurrana (as Alok), Rashmika Mandanna (as Tadaka), Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Paresh Rawal. There’s also a cameo by Varun Dhawan in a crossover nod to Bhediya—which turned out to be one of the few well-received elements.

Budget & scaleThe reported production budget of Thamma (excluding print & publicity) is ~ ₹125 crore. When marketing, prints, and promotional spend are factored in, the “landing cost” is pegged to reach ₹145 crore. Thus Thamma surpasses prior MHCU entries like Stree 2 as the costliest project in the universe.

Given those stakes, the expectations are enormous a Diwali blockbuster, big opening, and a strong return from theatrical + digital sales.

1. Meme Culture: The Internet’s Swift Rebuke

Within hours of the trailer dropping, social media lit up with criticism. Reddit threads and X posts lamented that the Thamma trailer looked like a patchwork of previous Maddock jokes and meme templates.

Some user reactions included:

• “Instagram reels se saare jokes uthaye hai” (“They’ve lifted all jokes from Instagram reels”)

• “Why did they copy-paste the Bhediya template?” 

• “Humour feels repetitive … same middle-class family comedy loop” 

Even seasoned fandoms expressed despair: that the “universe feel” had boiled down to predictable jokes and recycled beats.

The memes weren’t just about jokes, they zoomed in on odd costume choices, bewildering teeth effects, and over-the-top set pieces that felt cheap rather than visionary. From fans posting side-by-side comparisons of previous MHCU “funny moments” to mocking lines and visual glitches, the backlash was loud.

Memes in film discourses are not always fatal, but they signal significant loss of goodwill. When your fan base turns into your mockers, something’s gone deeply wrong.

2. Subpar Acting & Weak Emotional Core

One of the biggest criticisms is that star power can’t mask weak writing. Many reviews and fan takes lament that:

• Ayushmann Khurrana, despite his capability, is trapped in formulaic “conflicted vampire hero” clichés, delivering few moments of real emotional weight.

• Rashmika Mandanna’s role as Tadaka is underwritten more style than substance.

• Ensemble scenes feel stilted; supporting characters lack arcs or motivations that matter.

• Even heavyweights like Nawazuddin and Paresh Rawal can’t lift scenes that are too reliant on spectacle rather than nuance.

When the emotional architecture is thin, no amount of set design or VFX can ground the audience. This is especially painful in a universe known earlier for balancing humor, folklore, and character-driven stakes (as in Stree).

3. Big Budget, Bigger Risk But Poor Returns

With ₹145 crore (or thereabouts) riding on Thamma, the film’s margin for error is razor thin. Overspending on VFX, crossovers, and grand visuals may have come at the cost of script, pacing, and audience trust.

Moreover:

• The high budget raises the break-even mark significantly. You don’t need just a “hit” — you need phenomenal returns to justify the gamble.

• The negative early impressions — from memes, trailer complaints, and weak word-of-mouth — are already acting like anchor weights.

• Even a decent box office run might fail to recoup “landing cost” or deliver real profits.

In short: Thamma looks like a bet gone sideways. The adage “big budget = big film” feels hollow when the heart is missing.

Why Vijan’s Vision May Be Cracking

Dinesh Vijan has been central to MHCU’s rise. But Thamma suggests discord between his earlier instinct and current spectacle-driven ambitions.

• Earlier successes (like Stree) balanced character, folklore, local flavor, and surprise. Now, emphasis seems to tilt toward scale and marketing gimmicks.

• The narrative logic and emotional core appear weaker, perhaps sacrificed for visual ambition.

• Fan goodwill — once built over time — seems to be evaporating. The shift from “cult love” to “mass spectacle” was not managed with enough care.

If Thamma underperforms, it may force a reckoning: Can MHCU reboot, course-correct, or reset? Vijan’s next moves will matter more than the film itself.

Aapke Sawal, Hamare Jawab

1. What is the budget of Thamma and how much must it earn to break even? The production budget is reported ~₹125 crore (excluding prints & publicity). With marketing and P&A, the total “landing cost” is estimated ~₹145 crore. To break even, Thamma must earn significantly more than that — often 1.8x to 2x the landing cost.
   

2. Which actors star in Thamma and what is their role? Thamma features Ayushmann Khurrana (as Alok), Rashmika Mandanna (as Tadaka), with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal in key roles. Varun Dhawan appears in a cameo linking to Bhediya.
   

3. What memes or criticisms surfaced following the Thamma trailer? Critics accused the trailer of reusing jokes from Instagram reels, “copy-paste” meme templates, and lacking fresh humor. Many felt it leaned too heavily on past MHCU tropes. Varun Dhawan’s cameo drew praise, but overall the trailer left audiences underwhelmed.
   

4. Can Thamma still succeed despite early backlash? It’s possible, but uphill. To recover, the film needs strong word-of-mouth, critical praise, and box office momentum. But with early negative impressions and high financial risk, a “moderate hit” might not suffice — the universe might demand a full-scale hit.
   

5. What does Thamma’s reception mean for the future of MHCU? If Thamma underperforms, it could force MHCU to revisit its strategy — returning focus to storytelling, downsizing budgets, or rebooting the universe. Dinesh Vijan and the creative team will need to rebuild trust with fans.