rashmika Mandanna’s 2025 reads like a rollercoaster script written by destiny itself — one blockbuster, one bomb, one redemption, and now, one massive question mark. After ruling hearts (and the box office) with Pushpa 2 and delivering the ₹700-crore tsunami Chhaava, she hit turbulence with Sikandar, a salman khan spectacle that crashed harder than its own climax. But before critics could write her off, she rebounded with Kuberaa, silencing the noise with both audience love and solid numbers. Now comes her next battlefield — Thamma, Maddock Films’ latest entry into their horror-comedy universe. And this diwali, it’s do-or-die time for the National Crush.
💣 1. The Mandanna Meter — From Chhaava to Chaos
When Chhaava stormed theatres with ₹700 crores, rashmika became Bollywood’s unstoppable force — every brand wanted her face, every filmmaker wanted her dates. But Sikandar, her first outing with salman khan, turned that dream into a disaster reel. The film tanked, the memes soared, and suddenly everyone was questioning her “pan-India” status.
But rashmika didn’t retreat. She recalibrated. Enter Kuberaa — not a mega-hit, but a neat commercial win that reminded fans why she’s still the moment.
⚡ 2. Thamma: The Make-or-Break diwali War
Now, all eyes are on Thamma, her biggest bollywood gamble of the year. The Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe is already a proven moneymaker (Stree, Bhediya, Stree 2), but this time, the weight of the opening weekend rests squarely on Rashmika’s shoulders. Not Ayushmann Khurrana. Not the universe. Her.
The trade buzz predicts a ₹20 crore hindi opening — not bad, but far from guaranteed. The trailer didn’t explode the way Stree 2’s did, but Rashmika’s glam-heavy, dance-driven promotional blitz might just tip the scales.
🔥 3. The Glam Game — rashmika Unleashed
Three-item songs. Three languages. One goal — total domination.
The makers have doubled down on Rashmika’s screen presence like never before, with songs that are already trending across YouTube and reels. Critics might call it “overkill,” but fans? They’re eating it up. rashmika knows her crowd — she’s giving the masses the glamour, the sass, and the masala they want. This is her boldest, hottest, and most commercial avatar yet.
💥 4. The telugu Factor — The crush Returns Home
Here’s the genius move: Thamma is releasing simultaneously in Telugu. Maddock knows the South still sees rashmika as their golden girl. If the hindi version falters, telugu audiences could rescue the box office. And with her next telugu release, The Girlfriend, dropping just two weeks later, Thamma’s fate could directly decide The Girlfriend’s pre-release buzz and opening numbers.
⚔️ 5. Between Two Universes: The stree Shadow Looms
Let’s face it — Stree 2 raised the bar too high. Fans expected that same mix of horror, humour, and social satire. But Thamma’s trailer felt lighter, goofier, even confused at times. The tone screams “fun for families,” not “fresh feminist fantasy.” Some fans already fear Maddock’s curse — strong start, weak substance. The film could easily be another Bhediya — watchable, not legendary.
💎 6. The Verdict — Can rashmika Pull Off the Hat-Trick?
If Thamma clicks, rashmika scores a career-defining hat-trick: Chhaava, Kuberaa, Thamma. Three industries. Three wins. The queen stays on her throne.
But if Thamma flops? That’s two disasters in one year (Sikandar, Thamma) — and a brutal reminder that even the National crush isn’t bulletproof at the box office.
Either way, come diwali, rashmika mandanna isn’t just releasing a movie — she’s walking into a career crossroads. And the entire nation will be watching which way she turns.
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