Ayushmann Khurrana on how AI cannot replace emotions in films and his Diwali fantasy horror 'Thamma'

(Laughs) The truth is, our film is very Indian at heart. What you see on the poster is just a façade. It’s deeply rooted in Indian folklore. Thamma is different from the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe—it's one of their first fantasy adventures, so it’s meant to be a clutter-breaker.

I know, right? (Smiles) That’s why I waited for two years—for a big Diwali release. Hopefully, it works out well.

This film, honestly. It’s a huge creative risk, and definitely my most experimental project so far. I’ve always done realistic stories, but Thamma is fantastical. Maddock’s horror-comedy universe is thriving, and Diwali felt like the perfect time to make a comeback—great food, great cinema, great energy.

I don’t really plan these things. I was waiting for the right script, something that would truly excite me. Thamma was that. I’d been discussing it with Dino and Amar Kaushik since the pandemic, and when Aditya Sarpotdar came on board, everything aligned.

We’ve packed in a lot—it’s not just horror. There’s comedy, romance, and a whole new mythology. It’s a genesis film for Maddock’s universe. I’ve always been a fan of fantastical cinema, and after over a decade in the industry, I felt ready to dive in.

We don’t need to catch up—we already have the richest folklore in the world! We’re finally exploring it through films. Thamma draws from that—it’s based on the legend of Betaal, and I play one of the most powerful Betaals. It’s rooted in India but made for a global audience.

Absolutely. I’ve played flawed men before, but they were loveable. This one’s darker, and that was exciting. My character goes from being the regular guy-next-door to someone with superpowers—and he doesn’t know how to handle them. That’s where the comedy comes from.

It depends on the person. I’ve learned that success feels better when it’s slow and steady. I started as a radio presenter and theatre actor before films—nothing happened overnight. That grounding helps. But yes, in Thamma, my character’s irresponsibility is what makes him funny.

Definitely. The audience is ready and hungry for new stories. Thamma is a blend of fantasy, comedy, and romance—it’s different, and it’s coming at the right time.

The transformation happens both in the story and in me. A common man suddenly gets superpowers and doesn’t know how to use them. I’ve spent 10 years playing “too human” characters—it was time to explore something beyond that.

(Laughs) Maybe! I think so. I wanted to step back and do something larger-than-life—something more fantastical.

AI is here to stay, and it’s useful, but it can never replace the human touch. Art comes from lived experiences. You can write a formulaic film with AI, but you can’t create emotion. Artists should be preserved and nurtured—that’s where real magic lies.

(Smiles) I attended a tech event in Singapore recently, and a doctor there said, “AI will believe what you tell it. A drunk man will say he’s sober, and AI won’t know. But a human will.” That’s the difference—empathy and instinct. AI will never have that.

It’s all Indian at heart! Beneath that supernatural-romantic exterior lies a very rooted folklore story. Thamma is Hindi cinema’s first real clutter-breaking fantasy from Maddock.

I was already on board even before Stree 2! That success only made the universe bigger. I’ve been attached to Thamma for about four years now.

Honestly, I don’t need one. I’m Ayushmann, not Batman or Superman. (Laughs) I’m content with life—it’s already given me more than I imagined.

(Laughs) A blockbuster, hands down! Awards are great—they’re love from critics. But a blockbuster means love from the audience, and that’s priceless.

This year, I’m not heading home to Chandigarh. My family’s flying to Mumbai so we can all watch Thamma together. It’s going to be the biggest Diwali of my life.