In a year marked by the struggles of Bollywood films at the box office, director Amar Kaushik's Stree 2: Sarkate Ka Atyachar has emerged as a beacon of hope. This much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 horror-comedy hit Stree not only revived audience interest in cinemas but also garnered overwhelmingly positive responses from viewers, effectively breaking the streak of disappointing releases that had plagued the industry.
Starring the talented Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, Stree 2 has made a significant impact, showcasing the potential of sequels when crafted with care and substance. The film has achieved remarkable success, grossing over ₹856 crores globally, according to Sacnilk, thereby solidifying its status as a blockbuster. However, this success has not come without its share of controversy. A public relations battle has erupted concerning credit for the film’s achievement, with some attributing its success primarily to Shraddha Kapoor while others argue in favor of Rajkummar Rao. Notably, director Amar Kaushik and writer Niren Bhatt have found themselves largely excluded from this debate.
In addressing this controversy, Shraddha offered her insights during a recent re-launch event for Screen magazine in Mumbai. She reflected on the enduring legacy of Stree, emphasising the collective effort that went into creating the sequel. “The love and appreciation for the first part were immense; that’s where it all began,” she remarked. “Kudos to the director, writer, and producers for creating the sequel. It’s crucial that a sequel isn’t made merely for the sake of it—you need substance to attract audiences to theatres and truly earn their praise. They stayed true to the essence of how a sequel should be crafted and nailed the story of Stree 2. It had all the entertainment elements, fantastic actors, and genuinely entertaining dialogues. I believe it was a remarkable team effort. It was pure cinematic joy.”
Shraddha further articulated the paramount importance of audience engagement: “Ultimately, the audience decides, right? They leave their homes in search of entertainment, come to the theatres, and we’re delighted that we could entertain them.”
Excitingly, the prospect of a Stree 3 looms on the horizon. During the same event, Shraddha divulged that Amar Kaushik has already conceptualised a story for the next installment. “When Amar sir informed me that he has a story for Stree 3, I was thrilled because I know it’s going to be something incredible. I can’t wait to find out what it’s about,” she enthused, showcasing her unwavering enthusiasm for the franchise.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana, with notable cameo appearances by Akshay Kumar, Varun Dhawan, and Tamannaah Bhatia. Stree 2 continues to screen in theatres, captivating audiences and reaffirming the significance of storytelling in contemporary cinema.
Reflecting on the initial release of Stree, Shraddha shared a nostalgic account of her experience during its conception. She noted how everyone involved was at different stages in their careers, while Maddock Films was still establishing itself within the industry. “When I first heard the script for the original film, I felt as if I had never encountered anything like it before. Based on an urban legend, it was so engaging that I literally fell off the sofa while listening. I was thrilled that they approached me. It was pure entertainment—I laughed at the dialogues and scenes, and I thoroughly enjoyed portraying this enigmatic girl who appears and disappears,” she recounted.
