October 2025 Bollywood releases: From Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1 to Ayushmann’s Thamma, must-watch films this festive season

Bollywood is all set for an action-packed October, with a mix of critically acclaimed films, festive releases, and quirky sequels hitting theatres. From mythological thrillers to comedy horrors, this month promises something for every cinema-goer. Here’s a roundup of the most anticipated films.

Rishab Shetty’s critically acclaimed film, ‘Kantara Chapter 1’, is arriving in Kerala theatres on 2 October 2025. Directed by Rishab Shetty himself, the film stars him alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram in pivotal roles. The film has already generated huge buzz following its previous success and is arguably one of the most awaited releases of the month. Fans are eager to see Shetty reprise his role in this cinematic spectacle, blending folklore, mythology, and high-octane storytelling.

Clashing at the box office with ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’ on 2 October is Varun Dhawan’s upcoming film, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. Directed by Sashank Khaitan, the movie promises light-hearted entertainment rather than deep moral lessons. Varun Dhawan expressed confidence about both films performing well at the box office, highlighting that “Kantara is a very big film and the first one was amazing. Both films are very different, and there’s more than enough space for all kinds of films.” Audiences can expect a colourful, festive experience with this quirky offering.

Scheduled for a 21 October 2025 release during Diwali, ‘Thamma’ brings together a stellar cast including Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Paresh Rawal, and Sathyaraj. The story follows a historian, played by Ayushmann, on a journey to uncover the mythological origins of vampirism in Indian folklore. Spanning two timelines, the narrative moves between contemporary India and the ancient Vijayanagar kingdom, weaving a chilling tale of unfulfilled love. With its intriguing mix of mythology, romance, and suspense, Thamma is shaping up to be a Diwali treat for cinephiles.

For those seeking laughs with a side of horror, ‘Go Goa Gone 2’, the sequel to the 2013 zom-com hit, is releasing on 15 October 2025. Starring Saif Ali Khan, Vir Das, Fahim Fazli, Abhishek Banerjee, Radhika Madan, Kunal Kemmu, and Anand Tiwari, the film promises more zombie mayhem and comedy antics. Directed by Krishna D.K. and Raj Nidimoru, the sequel aims to capture the same chaotic energy that made the first film a cult favourite. Adventure, comedy, and plenty of undead chaos await audiences in this much-anticipated return.