‘Nahi Chahiye Bahar Ki Validation’: Ayushmann Khurrana On Being Called Captain America Of MHCU

Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna and Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer ‘Thamma’ is performing well at the box office. It is the fifth installment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU). It’s a special film for Ayushmann as it has become his career-best opener on Diwali. The actor recently hosted an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session on Instagram, during which he answered his fans’ questions and replied to their messages. One fan dubbed him the ‘Captain America’ of MHCU, to which Ayushmann politely responded that comparisons to Western superheroes are not necessary, as the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe is uniquely ‘desi’.

Ayushmann Khurrana Reacts To Being Called Captain America Of MHCU

During the AMA session, one fan asked Ayushmann Khurrana: “How do you feel being the Captain America of MHCU?” The Thamma

star replied, “Mat kar lala. Nahi chahiye hume bahar ki validation (Don’t do this, we don’t need the outside validation). No comparison, this is our desi universe. So Thamma is Thamma.” Meanwhile, another fan asked how he feels about Thamma performing so well. The actor replied, “Yaar neend achhi aa rahi hai. Matlab pehle bhi aati thi, par ab aur bhi aa rahi hai. Thamma is very special. Meri pehli badi film hai Diwali par aayi hai. Pehle main Diwali par sirf filmein dekhta tha, ab dikha raha hu. Ek Chandigarh ke launde ka sapna pura hua hai. (I’m sleeping very well. I used to sleep well before too, but now even more. Thamma is very special. This is my first big film releasing on Diwali. Earlier, I only used to watch films on Diwali, now I’m starring in one. A boy from Chandigarh has fulfilled his dream).”

Ayushmann Khurrana Teases ‘Crazy’ Mergers In MHCU

Meanwhile, in another Instagram story, Ayushmann called MCHU the ‘best’ Indian universe. “Ever expanding. Merger jo hone wale hain aage, crazy hone wala hai. (The upcoming mergers are going to be crazy),” he said.

According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Thamma earned Rs 24 crore net across India on its opening day, followed by an impressive Rs 18.6 crore on its second day. The film maintained momentum on its third day, bringing the total collection of the film to Rs 55.10 crore in three days.

Ayushmann Khurrana Celebrates Thamma Becoming His Biggest Opener

Ayushmann Khurrana shared his excitement after Thamma became his career’s biggest opener. Marking his first release on Diwali, Ayushmann took to Instagram to post a heartfelt note, behind-the-scenes moments, and thank the team for making the film a memorable experience. “Every year, since I remember, I used to go to theatres with my family to watch a film on Diwali. When I was a kid, my parents took me to this magical place that transported me to a world that I had never imagined. Then, I used to take them and Tahira and my kids to watch a big Diwali movie. It is a tradition in my family. Today, I have taken them to theatres to watch my film – my first Diwali release! It feels incredible!” he wrote.

About Thamma

Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Thamma stars Ayushmann Khurrana as Alok, while Rashmika Mandanna plays the role of Tadaka. Nawazuddin Siddiqui steps in as the opposing force and plays the king of darkness, Yakshasan, who threatens their love story. Adding to the excitement, the ever-beautiful Malaika Arora made a striking appearance in a special dance number, Poison Baby.

Produced by Maddock Films, the horror comedy also featured Paresh Rawal, Malaika Arora, Geeta Aggarwal and Faisal Malik to bring lighter moments to the dark narrative. Set in a fictional world, the film offers a “bloody” love story with a blend of suspense, thrill and romance. It was released in theatres on October 21, 2025.