Stree 2 Review: The Rajkummar Rao-Shraddha Kapoor horror-comedy sequel stays true to its origins and fulfills its promises.
Film Details
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana
Genre: Horror Comedy
Running Time: 149 minutes
Stree 2 Storyline and Screenplay
Stree 2 continues right where the 2018 sleeper hit left off, solidifying the horror-comedy genre’s stronghold in Indian cinema. The sequel dives straight into the action, introducing a new headless menace in Chanderi, quickly reuniting the original crew to defend the town’s women once more.
The magic of Stree and its sequel lies in their seamless blend of horror and comedy, where the two elements are not delivered in turn but coexist in the same moments. Just as a scare hits, a joke is dropped, keeping the audience off balance between laughter and shock. The humor extends beyond situational comedy, often incorporating contemporary cultural references and social commentary. Though not every meta joke sticks the landing—nods to Disha Patani, Neha Kakkar, and other pop culture figures sometimes miss the mark—the film still manages to deliver enough laughs amid the horror of Sarkata’s terrorizing presence.
One of the film’s strengths is its restraint in using typical jump scares, relying on them sparingly and with purpose, unlike the overused trope of fake-out scares. This thoughtful approach showcases the director’s skill in crafting suspense without resorting to overdone clichés.
Stree 2’s screenplay isn’t shy about embracing high-stakes drama either, unfolding with the kind of straightforward, blockbuster appeal seen in Marvel movies, making the narrative easy to follow without sacrificing engagement. Highlights include moments of intense fear followed by Shraddha Kapoor’s dramatic entry, which rivals the flair of any iconic star. The climax is ambitious, packed with crucial scenes, though some elements, like an awkward mythological reference, don’t quite resonate. Attempts to bring together characters in a unified, heroic display can sometimes feel forced in an otherwise organically structured plot.
The most jarring element is the forced crossover with Bhediya, which feels more like a strategic move from the production studio rather than a genuine narrative choice. While combining these franchises may appeal to fans and boost ticket sales, it detracts from Stree’s unique connection to its setting in Chanderi, a linkage that Bhediya lacks, making it feel out of place.
There are also smaller missteps in the writing, such as an outdated depiction of a mental institution that harkens back to old stereotypes, and a cameo by Tamannah coupled with an item number that seems misaligned with the film’s otherwise contemporary vibe. Unlike the more fitting integration of “Kamariya” in the first film, this addition feels like a throwback to an era that doesn’t quite gel with the sequel’s overall tone.
Performance Overview
We are undoubtedly living in Rajkummar Rao’s prime era. Though Shahid was released more than a decade ago, it remains his standout performance in my view, despite not getting the recognition it deserved. The fact that Rao can switch effortlessly between roles like the intense Shahid Azmi and the lively Vicky is a testament to his remarkable versatility.
To put it differently, the actor who convincingly portrayed Shahid Azmi, Newton Kumar, and Omar Sheikh can also channel the playful charisma of Shah Rukh Khan’s qawwali grooves in Main Hoon Na. He slips into nonsensical banter with ease, beams like a child at the sight of his love interest, and even takes on a playful lip-sync number. In Stree 2, Rao is clearly reveling in the joy of the role, and it shows.
Shraddha Kapoor’s performance in Vishal Bhardwaj’s Haider left an impression on me, showcasing her potential to reach impressive emotional heights, although she doesn’t always hit the mark. On the other hand, her turn in Haseena Parker was less impressive and easily forgettable. In Stree 2, she is ideally suited for her role, and even if these roles represent her comfort zone, her charisma is undeniable, with her bright, expressive eyes bringing an infectious energy to the screen.
Pankaj Tripathi’s acting sometimes feels a bit too deliberate for my taste. That said, his portrayal of the rum-loving Rudra Bhaiyya is pivotal to the Stree universe, and I found him more enjoyable in this installment than in the first. Stree 2 wouldn’t be the same without Abhishek Banerjee’s eccentricities. Let’s not overlook the fact that this is the same actor who delivered the chilling portrayal of Hathoda Tyagi in Paatal Lok. In this film, Banerjee lets loose completely, and his dynamic interactions with Rao are pure delight, showcasing raw and uninhibited performances that steal the show.
Direction and Tech Aspects
Amar Kaushik, who directed the original Stree, returns with a stronger personal vision in the sequel. While the original had the subtle influence of Raj & DK, who were the writers and producers, Kaushik has clearly evolved over the past six years, making his distinct mark on this film. His ambition even leads him to experiment with expanding the film’s scale, pushing beyond the limits of the first installment. The question, however, is how harshly we should critique such ambition.
Kaushik succeeds in several key areas, particularly in executing special effects. In Indian cinema, achieving high-quality CGI and VFX is still not something that can be taken for granted—many big-budget films struggle in this department. Kaushik largely avoids these common pitfalls; aside from a few less convincing elements in Sarkata’s lair, like the lava and blue rays, the effects are generally captivating and well-executed.
More crucially, Sarkata himself is convincingly eerie and threatening. Kaushik also shows a knack for knowing when to simplify. For example, during a scene where a giant statue is brought down, he wisely chooses to focus on reaction shots and debris, rather than complicating the visual effects further without adding significant value to the scene’s grandeur or narrative impact.
My main grievance with Stree 2 is how Kaushik divides the film into two noticeably distinct halves. It’s admittedly simplistic to dissect movies into ‘first half’ and ‘second half,’ but given the ingrained interval break in Indian cinema, films often feel like two-part series. In Stree 2, this division is particularly glaring. The first half culminates on an exhilarating high note, leaving us eagerly rushing to grab our popcorn and samosas.
However, the second half struggles to maintain that momentum, gradually losing its grip as it ventures into overly ambitious territory. This shift brings back the previously mentioned Bhediya crossover issue, disrupting the flow further. It also seems that Kaushik became overly enamored with the climactic showdown between Stree and Sarkata. The scene would have been more effective if it had been tighter and less self-indulgent.
Songs and Background Score
From the promotional phase itself, “Aaj Ki Raat” seemed out of place in the Stree universe. Its inclusion in the film feels overdone, presented with the flair of a typical Dharma production number, yet it fails to gel with the movie’s tone. If the song and film were a couple holding hands, it would be clear that neither gave their consent.
In contrast, “Aayi Nai” fits perfectly, as if it were destined to be an intense, seamless match with the film’s vibe. The romantic tracks “Khoobsurat” and “Tumhare Hi Rahenge Hum” enrich the soundtrack, adding depth to the love story. Justin Varghese’s background score doesn’t attempt anything groundbreaking but provides exactly what’s needed—effective and appropriate support to the narrative.
Stree 2 stands as a commendable sequel to its iconic predecessor, which almost goes without saying. When the biggest criticisms of a film revolve around the studio’s eagerness to capitalize on its success and a few missed jokes, it’s safe to say the movie is a triumph. Hopefully, the next installment, featuring a certain superstar in the antagonist role, will be just as entertaining as Stree 2.
Stree 2 Review
When Rajkummar Rao’s character Vicky, faced with his friends’ probing questions about his infatuation with a certain someone, quotes, “Out beyond the ideas of right and wrong, there is a field,” I couldn’t help but burst into a laughter so loud, it caught even me off guard. Who could have ever predicted that Rumi’s words would make their way into Chanderi in such a fashion? I thought Rumi and his philosophies were Imtiaz Ali’s exclusive territory.
If Niren Bhatt, the writer of Stree 2, won every screenwriting accolade this year for that one line alone, I wouldn’t be surprised. And yet, it’s just a glimpse of his craft in the film. From the cheeky ‘haath se yaad kiya’ to reminders of Pankaj Tripathi’s ‘Atalness’ and a quip about GST filing, Stree 2 packs in the sharp humor it promised, delivering it by the truckload.
Taking a broader view, it’s tough to think of another modestly sized film that has sparked such organic buzz as Stree 2 has in recent memory. The movie has broken advance booking records and is set for a successful box office run. While such intense anticipation could easily daunt most production teams, Maddock Films didn’t just rise to the occasion—they boldly embraced it by hosting paid previews the evening before the official release. Now it’s evident why they were so confident—the film truly meets the high expectations set for it.
Final Verdict
50-Word Review : This time, the women of Chanderi are up against a fresh menace. The ‘rakshaks’ are back, balancing humor and chills that keep the audience entertained. Despite a forced crossover and an over-the-top climax, the film manages to shine and maintain its charm.
