When humour, horror and heart come together just right

At a time when the 'universe' craze in Indian cinema is still finding its footing (and another big one has already stumbled), the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe scores.

- Rishabh Suri

Its connections aren't stitched together for show, nor do flashbacks bail it out for convenience. Every link feels earned, every crossover organic and Thamma proves this universe actually has a plan. The story follows Aalok (Ayushmann Khurrana), a news anchor rescued from a bear attack by Tadka (Rashmika Mandanna), a betaal. These aren't Twilight-style vampires, they can walk in the sun, and wooden stakes aren't a problem either. As Aalok's life spirals, Tadka is forced to leave, but one thing leads to another, and soon he becomes a betaal himself. At the centre of it all is Yakshasan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), the imprisoned head of the betaals, chained for 75 years under a rule that Tadka breaks, unleashing chaos. Not given any spoilers h