Mumbai, Oct 28 (NationPress) Filmmaker Amar Kaushik has finally spoken out regarding the much-discussed box-office confrontation between his recent film, “Thamma,” and “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.”

Both movies premiered on October 21, coinciding with Diwali. Kaushik shared his thoughts on this rivalry, describing it as a natural element of the film industry and stressing that each film ultimately discovers its own audience. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, the director stated that when quality films are recognized and celebrated, it represents a triumph for everyone involved in filmmaking. He noted, there is no genuine competition, as all filmmakers are part of the same creative family working towards a shared objective—creating impactful cinema for viewers.

Amar Kaushik expressed, “I believe it’s fantastic. When quality films are acknowledged, it’s a success for all. There’s no competition—we’re essentially one large family in the same industry. We all desire each other’s success. Negativity is detrimental, while mutual respect and admiration foster growth. Every talented actor and filmmaker enriches the industry. I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with remarkable artists—humble and talented individuals.”

Reflecting on the enthusiastic reception of Thamma, he remarked, “The response has been incredible—exactly as we anticipated. Viewers were eager to explore the next chapter of our universe and see its evolution. Previously, many felt that filmmakers weren’t adequately utilizing the concept of a 'shared universe' and that the narratives were poorly connected.”

“We took that feedback to heart. We ensured that the characters and storyline would grow organically. Now that audiences are embracing it, I’m genuinely pleased. I’ve been receiving numerous calls, and people are viewing it with great excitement—it’s an immensely rewarding feeling,” added Amar Kaushik.

The Stree director also shared how the concept for the horror-comedy “Thamma” first came to him. He revealed, “Thamma was introduced to me by Suresh Mathew and Arun Fulara back in 2019. Initially, the story had a different title. As we began to develop our cinematic universe—around the time we were producing Bhediya—we recognized the need for expansion.”

“We aimed for more characters, additional villains, and a broader array of stories. Thamma was one of the narratives that fit seamlessly. We consulted with the writers and commenced rewriting. The writing phase lasted about three to four years, and now, at last, the film has debuted.”

Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Maddock Films, “Thamma” stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

In contrast, “Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat,” directed by Milap Zaveri, features Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa in leading roles.