Stree 2 movie review: The Ultimate Horror Comedy with Cameos and Surprises

Well, in any movie, a cameo means the cherry on the cake. Salman Bhai without a break and if the crush suddenly shakes hands, it means it’s fun, money, and more fun, regardless of whether it’s in Brahmastra or Ae Dil Hai Mushkil‘s cameo, Salman Khan in Pathaan, or Surya as Rolex in Vikram.

Similarly, a film with an amazing, unbelievable, unimaginable cameo that serves comedy like ghee, papad, yogurt, and pickles in the mix of horror is Stree 2. The craze for this film is such that it sold 45,000 tickets in an hour. On the first day, it earned 36 crores in half a day, mocking Prabhas in terms of collections. So, it’s worth talking about this film.

In this post, apart from reviewing the film, we will discuss its mid and post-credit scenes, character connections, and many other things in a fun and light-hearted manner. We’ll reveal the mystical secrets of the headless Stree, the iconic cameo scene of a star, the true identity of Shraddha Kapoor’s character, and who the other lover madly in love with her is. We’ll also discuss the trick the makers used to boost the film’s business, updates on the next film in this universe, and why there was no connection to Munjya in Stree 2. We’ll cover both good and bad aspects of the film with spoilers added for flavor in this post.

Just 6 years ago, the creators of the Stree universe, Dinesh Vijan, never imagined that they would create India’s most economical and sustainable universe, which would beat even the biggest film collections of the year like Kalki 2898. The film earned 46 crores on the first day, including 8 crores from special screenings, totaling 54.2 crores, beating both Kalki 2898 and Fighter in Hindi collections. Kalki 2898’s first-day Hindi collection was only 27.5 crores, while Fighter, directed by Siddharth Anand, who gave us Pathaan, only managed 24.6 crores.

Part 1: Stree 2 – A Deep Dive

Credit: News18

In the past, horror films were made so terrifying that audiences would wet themselves in theaters. Then directors like Mahesh Bhatt and Ram Gopal Varma came along, showing ghosts half-naked like peeled bananas in horror films. But Stree 2, setting a perfect example of horror comedy, combines horror, comedy, and terrific background music. Some scenes are truly terrifying and horrifying, but the comedy punch lines sew up the split sides, and some dialogues make you roll on the floor laughing.

For instance, “वर्जिन तेल हैल्थी होता है, मेल नहीं (Virgin oil is healthy, not male),” and “बिट्टू, तू हमेशा टेसुए बहाने क्यों बनाता है? तू बिट्टू है, स्नेहा कक्कड़ नहीं (Bittu, why do you always make tasteless excuses? You’re Bittu, not Sneha Kakkar).” Here, the writer refers to Neha Kakkar. Rajkumar Rao, as Vicky, again nails the character with his comic timing, melting hearts with lines like “Vicky, please.” However, Shraddha’s character steals the show despite less screen presence.

Pankaj Tripathi, as Rudra Bhaiya, and Abhishek Banerjee, as Bhola Bhala, play their roles perfectly. No one can imagine that Banerjee, who played characters like the compounder in Mirzapur and Hathoda Tyagi in Paatal Lok, portrays this role so well. Tamannaah’s song ignites desires, and many guys immediately switch to incognito mode, searching for “Tamannaah hot.”

Even if you have issues with the expensive tickets, I’m going back to the theater tomorrow just to see Tamannaah’s item number on the big screen. Overall, the writing, direction, screenplay, music, and BGM of the film are over the top. This film stays away from nudity, kissing scenes, and profanity. Yes, there are a few double-meaning jokes like “Bittu, if your girlfriend calls you ‘Bits,’ it’s good that your name isn’t ‘Tittu’.” Setting aside a couple of such dialogues, it wouldn’t be wrong to call it a family film.

Despite writer Raj & DK leaving the project midway, the story picks up right where Stree 1 left us, with the same story plot and characters. The film teleports us back to Chanderi, where the terror of Stree has ended because the people of Chanderi honored her with a large statue, writing “Raksha Karna (Save us)” instead of “Kal Aana (Come tomorrow).” Everything is going well until Chanderi Puran sends a letter to Rudra Bhaiya, warning that he’s coming and that the headless man, targeting modern-thinking girls, is back.

Rudra Bhaiya explains that the headless man is a follower-hungry creature. Amidst the chaos, Vicky’s mysterious girlfriend Shraddha returns, revealing the secrets of the headless man, who is actually the village chief Vidhan, involved in dark practices.

The Headless Man: Myth and Mystery

Credit: The Quint

Let’s see how the concept of the headless man came to people’s minds. In Greek mythology, he’s known as AKEPHALOI, and in Latin as BLYEMMES. But in India, the headless man’s first mention is in the Ramayana era, where a cursed Gandharva named Kabandha had no head and an eye in his stomach. He guided Lord Ram and Lakshman to Sugreeva.

Back to Stree’s story, no one knows how to kill the headless man. Even cutting off his head makes him multiply like Raktabeej. Shraddha, with her magical braid, can’t hold him for long. Eventually, Akshay Kumar’s cameo reveals more about the headless man, who is actually his descendant. In the end, we learn that Shraddha’s character is Stree’s daughter.

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Rajkummar Rao’s Vicky is shown as Chanderi’s protector because of his kind heart, capable of pulling out the sword from the stone. If Shraddha is Stree’s daughter, why was she fighting her in the first part? How does the headless man control all the men in the village? How do they summon Stree to fight him? These questions will be answered in the film.

Part 2: Mid and Post-Credit Scenes and Character Connections

Credit : Only Films

In the mid and post-credit scenes, Bhediya’s Varun Dhawan helps them fight the headless man because he is friends with Jaana, connecting Stree and Bhediya. Jaana, played by Abhishek Banerjee, also connects to the next film in the universe, hinting at Ayushmann Khurrana’s role in the upcoming Vijayanagar Vampires, possibly set in Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar.

During the post-credit scene, Akshay Kumar’s character, the universe’s Thanos, consumes the headless man’s ashes, gaining his powers, indicating that he’s the mastermind behind it all. This film leaves us with many questions: Whose worship do Chanderi people perform during the annual four-day festival? Can the headless man return? Munjya is excluded from Stree 2 because Munjya 2 is yet to come, connecting it with Bhediya.

Stree 2 marks Pankaj Tripathi and Akshay Kumar’s second film together. On August 15th, Akshay Kumar clashed his films, Khiladi and Stree 2. Tamannaah and Abhishek Banerjee appeared in both Stree 2 and Vedaa.

Conclusion

Stree 2 delivers an exceptional blend of horror and comedy, with standout performances, a gripping storyline, and hilarious dialogues. The film’s cameos and mid and post-credit scenes add depth to the Stree universe, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what’s next. Whether you’re a fan of horror, comedy, or just good cinema, Stree 2 is a must-watch film that promises entertainment and more.