Kartik Aaryan and Sreeleela’s romantic drama, directed by Anurag Basu, is set to clash at the box office with Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s horror-comedy Thama on Diwali 2025.
Kartik Aaryan’s romantic drama with Sreeleela, directed by Anurag Basu, will face off against Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s horror-comedy Thama on Diwali 2025.
Kartik Aaryan thrilled his fans on Saturday by unveiling his much-anticipated romantic drama, co-starring Sreeleela, and directed by the acclaimed Anurag Basu. Adding to the excitement, the film is set for a grand Diwali 2025 release, setting the stage for an intense box-office clash with Ayushmann Khurrana’s upcoming horror comedy, Thama, which also arrives in theaters during the festive season.
On February 15, Kartik Aaryan sent social media into a frenzy with the first glimpse of his film, showcasing him in a rugged, heartbroken lover-boy avatar. With long, messy hair and a beard, the actor exudes raw intensity as he takes on the role of a singing sensation, strumming a guitar and serenading the crowd with Tu Meri Zindagi Hai. Adding to the film’s charm, Sreeleela and Kartik’s sizzling chemistry is evident in steamy romantic sequences, heightening the anticipation. The film’s musical brilliance is further elevated by the dynamic duo of Anurag Basu and composer Pritam, promising an unforgettable cinematic experience.
Meanwhile, Ayushmann Khurrana is gearing up for his spine-chilling return in Thama, a horror-comedy that is part of Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Horror Universe. First announced in October 2024, the film’s tagline hinted at its eerie premise: “Dinesh Vijan’s Horror Comedy Universe needed a love story… unfortunately, it’s a bloody one. Brace yourselves for Thama – Diwali 2025!”. Helmed by Munjya director Aditya Sarpotdar, the film boasts an ensemble cast featuring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Backed by Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, the film has been penned by Niren Bhatt, Suresh Mathew, and Arun Fulara.
For Ayushmann, Thama marks his big-screen return after two years, following the success of Dream Girl 2 in 2023. Similarly, Kartik’s last major festive release was Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which also hit theaters during Diwali 2024. With two highly anticipated films from completely different genres—a soul-stirring romance vs. a horror-comedy—this Diwali is shaping up to be a massive cinematic showdown. Fans will be eagerly watching to see which film dominates the box office, making Diwali 2025 a festival of both lights and entertainment!
