Horror comedies have recently emerged as a fascinating genre in Bollywood, blending the eerie with the amusing to create a unique cinematic experience. This genre wasn’t always as prominent, though. Back in the 70s and 90s, horror in Indian cinema was largely synonymous with the Ramsay Brothers. They carved out their niche with cult classics like Purana Mandir, Bandh Darwaza, and Veerana, films that were the epitome of low-budget, high-impact scares. The Ramsay era was marked by a certain rustic charm – creaky doors, foggy graveyards, and a slew of ghostly apparitions that, while formulaic, managed to captivate audiences.
The evolution of horror into horror-comedy was a gradual process, taken up seriously by filmmakers who saw the potential in marrying scares with laughs. Directors like Priyadarshan with Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Raj and DK with Go Goa Gone brought fresh perspective, introducing humour into horror in ways that felt both natural and innovative. However, one director who has truly made his mark in this genre is Amar Kaushik. With films like Stree (2018), Bhediya (2022), and the recently released Stree 2 (2024), Kaushik has proven himself to be a master of this delicate balancing act.
Amar Kaushik’s work stands out for its smart blend of traditional horror elements with sharp, often satirical comedy. Stree, which became a cultural phenomenon, was not just about the fear of a supernatural entity but also about flipping the horror trope on its head. It was a film that made you laugh while also keeping you on the edge of your seat, a testament to Kaushik’s understanding of both genres. Bhediya followed a similar path, infusing a werewolf narrative with humour and a touch of social commentary, further solidifying his place as a director who knows how to entertain while teasing your brain into thinking.
With Stree 2, Kaushik continues this tradition, proving that horror comedies in Bollywood are more than just a passing trend – they’re a genre with staying power. As Kaushik continues to explore and expand this space, he is cementing his reputation as a filmmaker who can skillfully navigate the fine line between horror and humour, delivering films that are both terrifying and delightfully entertaining.
Stree 2 serves as the much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 hit Stree, a film that deftly combined horror and comedy with a clever narrative and memorable performances. The original cast returns in full force, with Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee, and Atul Srivastava reprising their roles, though notably, the quirky presence of Vijay Raaz is absent this time around. However, the void is filled with intriguing new characters that bring fresh dynamics and potential to the story, ensuring the sequel stands on its own.
"Stree 2" picks up in Chanderi, a town once terrorised by the mysterious Stree, whose malevolent spirit brought fear but also a strange sense of justice. The sequel paints a picture of a town that has finally found peace, thanks to Vicky (Rajkummar Rao), the unassuming tailor whose integrity and simplicity was key in driving Stree away. The film opens with a sense of calm, but it’s a calm that is quickly shattered.
Rudra (Pankaj Tripathi), the quirky yet wise librarian, receives a strange delayed letter, with ominous warnings about the new evil descending upon Chanderi. Enter Sarkata, a demon unlike any the town has faced before. Unlike Stree, whose motives were somewhat understood, Sarkata is a headless monstrosity driven by a deep-seated grudge against Stree. His detachable head, which humorously rolls around like a ball of wool before springing into deadly action with its tentacle-like hair, is one of the film's standout visual elements.
As chaos returns to Chanderi, Rudra knows that there’s only one person he can turn to – Vicky. The man who once saved the town must rise again. But this time, the stakes are higher, and the challenges more complex. The abduction of Bittu’s (Aparshakti Khurana) girlfriend, Chitti (Anya Singh), by Sarkata, adds a personal element to the fight. The trio, plots Janaa (Abhishek Banerjee), who still bears the scars of his possession by Stree, must once again rally together. Their plan hinges on using Janaa as bait to summon Stree, hoping that the once-feared spirit will aid them against the new terror.
Poor guys have no idea that Sarkata has plans of his own, and before Stree even has a chance to intervene, he’s already set his sights on Janaa’s soul. The terror mounts as Sarkata’s head rolls into action, but in a twist of fate, the four friends manage to narrowly escape his clutches, only to be rescued by none other than Stree herself. Stree reveals that Vicky is the only one who can save the girls of Chanderi from Sarkata's wrath but the how of it all remains a mystery.
Rudra, ever the inquisitive mind, decides to dig deeper into the origins of the ominous letter he received. His search leads them to a mental asylum, where they encounter Sarkata’s descendant, played by Akshay Kumar. But this is no ordinary descendant; in a bizarre twist, he imagines himself as Shehanshah Akbar, ruling over his imaginary empire with delusions of grandeur, and to top it all off, he’s found his Mumtaz Mahal in none other than Janaa.
What follows is a mix of hilarity and tension as the group tries to extract the vital information they need from this delusional figure. The scenes are a blend of laughs and scares, smartly written to keep the audience on their toes. Just when you think the situation can’t get any more absurd, it does but in a way that keeps you both engaged and entertained.
Stree 2 continues to build on the strengths of its predecessor, sharp humour, well-timed scares, and characters who are as relatable as they are endearing.
The film’s pacing, much like its predecessor, strikes a fine balance between tension and relief. Just when the horror threatens to overwhelm, the humour cuts through, reminding viewers why "Stree" became a cultural phenomenon. The additional characters, while bringing new energy to the story, also contribute to its complexity, making Stree 2 a film that demands attention to detail.
Every actor in the movie knows exactly what to do, how to react and respond. Rajkummar Rao gets some of the most entertaining scenes, which he commendably performs. A fine actor like him is a treat to watch every time. His comic timing is getting laser sharp with film after film. His scene with Janaa’s mother, and when he rescues Janaa are of two extreme tangents. Brilliantly performed. Rao makes Vicky believable and spontaneous. Shraddha Kapoor is decent, and plays her part well. Abhishek Banerjee is lovable with his particular style of reacting to the situation, he is first-rate.
Pankaj Tripathi is as usual. His ‘know it all’ nature and inquisitive personality is bang on this time. He takes his scenes to another level and viewers cannot help but laugh out loud. His descriptions of Sarkata in different scenes are hilarious. Aparshakti Khurana shows the two sides of his character, one as a caring boyfriend and the other as a possessed being, very effectively. Varun Dhawan and Akshay Kumar are interestingly placed and they are cherries on top. Their scenes add excitement for sure. Do wait for the post credits; there are two songs and two scenes, not to be missed.
Amar Kaushik looks to be keen on creating a universe of his own combined with Niren Bhatt (writer) who impressed us all with Bhedya, Munjya and Asur. This duo is bound to bring us multiple installments of horror-comedies, with Akshay Kumar, Varun Dhawan, Tamannah Bhatia and God knows who else. The writing is astounding and involves references from different movies – it will be a treat for a hardcore movie buff to relate with those dialogues. For example “Tu bhedya hai, bhedya he reh, Animal na bun” when Bhedya besides having a love interest lusts after Stree in a scene. Those who can recall the father son interaction on “Oorja ka Jwala” will again love and laugh out loud on their extended discussion on “Suyem Sewa”.
This film is a must-watch with everything infused in it. If you are looking for smart writing, great performances, a little horror, lots of laughter, mystifying VFX and family entertainer, this is your mojo. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Shafiq Ul Hasan Siddiqui is an avid movie buff, and film and drama critic and a digital inbound marketer. He tweets @shafiqulhasan81
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