Unexpected Challenge For Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna's Thamma From Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat

Mumbai, October 16 - Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna's horror comedy Thamma was expected to be the clear Diwali showstopper, being the only major Bollywood release with bankable stars during the festive weekend. However, the landscape seems to be shifting unexpectedly.

Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa's romantic drama Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, which initially appeared to be a smaller contender, is steadily gaining momentum. The film's buzz has reportedly grown stronger in recent days, surprising trade analysts and exhibitors alike.

According to reports, the makers of Deewaniyat have now demanded equal showcasing in national multiplex chains, challenging Thamma's presumed dominance. This development marks an unforeseen twist in what was shaping up to be a solo Bollywood Diwali release.

While Thamma was poised to secure the lion's share of shows across major circuits, as many believed it would get for being a potential blockbuster due to its connection with Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), the confidence of Deewane Ki Deewaniyat's producers indicates they believe the film's current buzz and audience curiosity could put it on par with the Ayushmann–Rashmika starrer.

"PVRInox is the distributor of Thamma, and one of the top management employees of PVRInox is now a part of Team Thama, heading distribution. The Deewaniyat team has asked all the national chains to go by the demand among the audience, rather than the foul play of leveraging equations for better showcasing", Bollywood Hungama reports.

On the other hand, the Thamma producer Dinesh Vijan of Maddock Films and the senior former PVRInox executive have demanded 75 per cent shows, leaving only 25 per cent for Deewaniyat. If both parties don't come to a solution soon, the advance booking of both films, which are scheduled to open on October 17 ahead of their October 21 release, might be delayed.

It remains to be seen how exhibitors balance screens between the two films, but one thing is clear — Diwali 2025 just got a lot more interesting for Bollywood fans and the box office alike.

Stay tuned...