At the grand trailer launch of Thamma, the latest installment in Maddock Films’ expanding horror-comedy universe, producer Dinesh Vijan opened up about the journey behind India’s most exciting cinematic franchise. What started in 2018 with Stree has now grown into a sprawling, interconnected world one rooted deeply in Indian folklore and storytelling tradition.
Speaking emotionally at the event, Dinesh said: “Today is the biggest day of my career and also the most important day for Maddock Films’ filmography.”
He explained how the journey began back in 2018: “In 2018, we planted a seed- Stree. That seed has grown into this entire universe.”
The vision was clear from the start. Vijan and his team didn’t just want to make hit films — they wanted to create a world, a universe that audiences could return to, with mysteries, mythologies, and monsters rooted in Indian culture. What seems now like a perfectly built franchise was always part of a larger strategy: “When we made the first film, it had to work. Only then could we move forward. From there, we started intentionally leaving breadcrumbs across the films.” This carefully laid groundwork is now paying off, as fans piece together the intricate connections between Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, and now Thamma.
One of the most powerful moments came when Dinesh spoke about the inspiration behind the stories: “This film is about Betaal, a figure rich in Indian mythology. We often look to the West and say, ‘Wow, what an original idea.’ But we forget — we are one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Many so-called ‘original ideas’ are borrowed from our own history.”
“We’ve always been aspirational toward the West. But now, with how India has progressed and how proud we’ve become of who we are it felt like the right time to build a universe of our own.” Dinesh also dropped major hints about what lies ahead for the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe: “Two new characters will be introduced, and Thamma will carry that announcement.” “There’s also Chhoti Stree, which will end with a direct transition into Stree 3 — going from animation into live-action. It’ll finally reveal the backstory everyone’s been waiting for. Chhoti Stree will release about six months before Stree 3.”
With each new film, Dinesh Vijan and his team are not only entertaining audiences but also reclaiming India’s rich narrative heritage. They’re proving that a blockbuster doesn’t have to come from Western blueprints it can rise from our own myths, legends, and local lore.
And if Thamma lives up to the hype, this universe is about to get a whole lot bigger.