Shraddha Kapoor steps into uncharted territory as Stree goes animated with 'Choti Stree'

Maddock Films added a fresh chapter to its growing horror-comedy franchise with a rain-soaked trailer launch of Thamma in Mumbai. The film, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Paresh Rawal, was unveiled on Friday in the presence of the cast and several familiar faces from the universe.

Shraddha Kapoor, who played the mysterious lead in Stree (2018), joined producer Dinesh Vijan at the event to reveal the official logo of Maddock’s Horror-Comedy Universe (MHCU). The franchise, which started with Stree, has since delivered Bhediya, Munjya, and the recently released Stree 2, all of which contributed to its growing popularity among audiences.

Speaking about her association with the franchise, Shraddha said, “To be a part of Stree was a very special moment. Dino is the captain of the ship, and it’s all his vision. He has created a sensibility that actors want to be part of, films deeply rooted in our culture. Now, within India, we are creating universes like these. It’s time to forget Hollywood universes, because we have our very own desi horror-comedy universe.”

Director Amar Kaushik, who also co-produced Thamma, recalled the franchise’s unexpected origins. “In 2017, when we started, we only wanted to make a small horror-comedy with Stree. After it became a huge hit, Dino told me, ‘Now let’s make our own universe.’”

The event also carried a surprise reveal. Shraddha announced that Maddock is developing an animated film based on her character from Stree. Titled Choti Stree, the feature will release in theatres and serve as a prelude to Stree 3. Dinesh Vijan explained that the animated film will end with live-action footage leading into Stree 3, which is expected to arrive six months later.

Ayushmann Khurrana, making his first outing with Maddock, shared that Thamma is also his first Diwali release. He described the film as a story designed to take the horror-comedy universe to “new heights.” Thamma is scheduled to release in theatres on October 21.