Record overseas and national bookings recorded for Stree 2

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As predicted by veteran Raj Bansal, Rajasthan’s leading exhibitor and distributor (The August 15 Clash, August 10), and also expected by me, Stree 2 is poised for a record opening this Independence Day.

If the UK-based PR agency, Sterling Global Media, are to be believed, the advance screenings across the GCC, UAE and USA on August 14 will be packed. Advance premieres will open on August 14 the GCC and UAE from 8 pm, local time, and in the USA from 6 pm local time.

And a reported 100,000 cinema tickets have been sold in India alone! While Advance Bookings, as seen on online sites for big-ticket releases, are largely exaggerated, this is one case where they do not seem to be all that hyped, for after ages (Munjya picked up only by word-of-mouth post-release as it was an unknown entity except for the Maddock Films’ horror comedy tag) we seem to have a film that is heavily anticipated.

Thus, the biggest horror-comedy franchise returns with a bang this Independence Day with its unique blend of terror and laughter. Following the trailer launch, the excitement has only soared with the release of the film’s songs and news of stellar cameos.

Among the cameos are those by Akshay Kumar (leading man and de facto co-producer of Khel Khel Mein, one of the two Hindi co-releases) and Varun Dhawan. Little wonder then that the superstar’s trailer has the end-line “Stree aur Purush dono dekho (Watch both Stree and our film)!” The man is there in both!

This sequel not only features an array of new music and dance numbers but also welcomes a host of star-studded cameo appearances that are bound to thrill fans. The electrifying dance track Aaj ki raat features Tamannaah Bhatia in a third cameo, and her mesmerizing moves are set to make history in Chanderi, where this sequel to the 2018 Stree was also set.

Meanwhile, the lively party anthem Aayi nai showcases the chemistry between Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, with Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Banerjee. The five of them play the principal characters in this horror comedy.

Additionally, the romantic track Khoobsurat, featuring Varun Dhawan alongside Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, uniquely bridges the worlds of Stree and Bhediya within the Maddock supernatural universe, promising a novel cinematic experience.

Sachin-Jigar tune lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya for the film directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Dinesh Vijan with Jyoti Deshpande. This sequel not only ties the intriguing loose ends left by its predecessor but elevates the horror-comedy genre to new heights. The overseas distribution is by Marudhar Entertainment Network.

Maddock Films / Dinesh Vijan’s Horror-Comedy Multi-Verse:

Go Goa Gone (2013) was a zombie horror comedy

The multi-verse:

Stree (2018)

Roohi (2021 / this did not work)

Bhediya (2022)

Munjya (2024)

Stree 2 (2024)

Other popular Horror Comedies

Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)

Golmaal Again (2017)

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2023)

Kakuda (on OTT—2024)

The Horror Comedies that did not work

Great Grand Masti, Phone Bhoot, Bhoot Police, Laxmii and (the abovementioned) Roohi