Thamma Director Breaks Silence On Criticism Over 3 Item Songs In The Movie, Says 'Aaj Ki Raat, Taras Became Massive Hit'

Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, may have made over Rs 124 crore globally, but the film's bold choice to keep three item songs have stirred conversations on social media. Tum Mere Na Huye, Poison Baby and Dilbar were introduced in Dinesh Vijan's expanding horror-comedy world generated controversy. Director Aditya Sarpotdar, who previously helmed Munjya, revealed that those songs were created for the vampire universe for a very obvious reason and not just for glamour aspect. 

Thamma director Aditya Sarpotdar has responded to the criticism that the movie contains three item songs. He told SCREEN that the criticism seems out of place given that before in the franchise, the same audience has applauded similar tracks.

Aditya Sarpotdar said, "All these things are marketing assets that lead you into a film. What counts at the end of the day is what the film is. When you sit through a film, what do you get out of it? For me, when these songs come into the film, I want them there because I know my story unfolds there. At some point, the fact that you feel that the film is only known for its item numbers is unfortunate, because that’s not what the film is known for. That was never the intention."

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The filmmaker noted that the audience enthusiastically embraced songs like Taras in Munjya and Aaj Ki Raat. "You also can’t deny the fact that this is the same audience who has watched my earlier films, say Munjya, where Taras became a massive hit, right? It’s the same audience who loved Aaj Ki Raat, right? Nobody had a problem there. It’s just that now, because you see it happening a lot more, you feel it’s a problem. And I say, okay, you can have an opinion and you don’t like it. I’ll take it in my stride. But maybe what’s also happening is: in a vampire film, you need a certain sense of glitz, glamour, and madness. Here, we had the chance to do that."

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Even if the film was dubbed a 'item number film,' Aditya Sarpotdar was glad that viewers didn't avoid the movie. The filmmaker shared, "It got branded as an ‘item number film’, and that, I think, is a very typical mindset. Because you have accepted the same songs wholeheartedly and enjoyed them earlier. Now suddenly you have a problem with them. It’s a little odd. But okay, I understand. And I am glad that the same people also came and watched the film. People have seen the film. So as long as you see the film, that’s the point."

Why Thamma Faced Backlash For 3 Item Songs?

The extreme sexualization of women in Thamma's promotions created controversy. Rashmika Mandanna wore a number of revealing clothes, and she and other women performed too glamorous and hypersexualized scenes in various item songs. At first, Rashmika's glitzy appearance didn't bother fans. However, they accused the creators of normalizing over-sexualization in a franchise that was once thought to be family-friendly after witnessing three consecutive item songs in one movie.