With just about a month to go until Diwali, excitement for the grand release of Thama is steadily mounting as promotional materials begin to surface. While it’s well-known that Thama is slated for a Festival of Lights release, the exact date remains a closely guarded secret, leaving the trade, industry insiders, and audiences eagerly waiting for the official announcement.
A source told Bollywood Hungama, “For over a decade, films intended for Diwali rarely premiere on the actual day of the festival. Usually, they release a day after, during the post-Diwali holiday, since many moviegoers are busy with Laxmi Pujan on Diwali itself, which significantly impacts footfalls. However, the day after Diwali is a big draw for films due to the holiday and festive mood.
”The source added, “In Thama’s case, there’s a possibility it could release on Tuesday, October 21—the actual day of Diwali. This would break the usual pattern and likely reflects the makers’ confidence in the film. Often, filmmakers avoid D-day releases fearing that initial word of mouth might dampen holiday earnings the next day. But with a strong film, a Diwali release can amplify excitement and boost box office collections.”They continued,
“Interestingly, Diwali falls on both Monday, October 20, and Tuesday, October 21 this year, which could work to Thama’s advantage if it chooses the Tuesday release.”Notably, Thama will face direct competition from another Diwali release, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, starring Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, directed by Milap Zaveri, also set for October 21. The source revealed, “The makers are also considering an October 22 release to aim for a strong opening. They even mulled a pre-Diwali Friday release on October 17 to avoid mid-week launch challenges.
”An industry insider observed, “Box office business tends to be slow before Diwali, but recent Hollywood releases like Black Adam (2022) and Venom – The Last Dance (2024) succeeded despite pre-festival releases. Those films targeted a niche audience, whereas Thama appeals to a broader base. Plus, with Dinesh Vijan producing, known for his golden touch, if they pick October 17, the film still stands a good chance to perform well.”With no official word yet, the uncertainty around Thama’s release date remains a hot topic in industry circles.
