“Stree 2: Sarkate Ka Aatank,” released on August 15, 2024, directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Maddock Films and Jio Studios, stormed into theaters as a much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 sleeper hit “Stree.” Starring Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana, this horror-comedy solidified its place as the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024, raking in ₹858.4 crore worldwide against a ₹100 crore budget. Part of the Maddock Supernatural Universe, it blends folklore, laughs, and chills into a crowd-pleasing package that critics and audiences alike embraced—earning a 62% on Rotten Tomatoes (6.1/10 average)—though it’s not without its flaws.

Set years after the original, “Stree 2” revisits Chanderi, where the titular Stree has left after gaining respect via her statue. Peace is short-lived as a new menace, Sarkata—a headless ghost—begins abducting modern, independent women. Vicky (Rao), still pining for his mysterious love (Kapoor), teams up with friends Jana (Banerjee), Bittu (Khurana), and the quirky scholar Rudra (Tripathi) after Bittu’s girlfriend Chitti (Anya Singh) vanishes. Shraddha’s unnamed character returns with cryptic warnings, sparking a mission to vanquish Sarkata. The plot weaves in cameos from Akshay Kumar and Varun Dhawan, tying it to “Bhediya” and hinting at a broader universe.

The film’s triumph lies in its seamless fusion of horror and comedy—a tricky genre that Kaushik masters again. The first half crackles with small-town charm and laugh-out-loud moments, like Jana force-feeding Sarkata alcohol or Vicky’s off-key “Calm Down” rendition. Rajkummar Rao is pitch-perfect as the endearing “Chanderi ka rakshak,” his comic timing razor-sharp. Pankaj Tripathi steals scenes as Rudra, delivering deadpan one-liners with effortless flair, while Banerjee’s Jana brings slapstick chaos. Shraddha Kapoor’s sporadic appearances add intrigue, though her limited role feels like a tease. Tamannaah Bhatia’s sizzling “Aaj Ki Raat” dance number is a highlight, perfectly timed for narrative impact.

Visually, Jishnu Bhattacharjee’s cinematography paints Chanderi’s eerie nights and bustling days with flair, while Sachin-Jigar’s soundtrack—“Aaj Ki Raat,” “Khoobsurat,” “Tumhare Hi Rahenge Hum”—elevates the mood (though “Aayi Nai” feels forced). The CGI for Sarkata impresses, his headless menace looming large. Yet, the second half stumbles. The screenplay, penned by Niren Bhatt, rushes toward a bloated climax that leans on dated VFX and ’80s-style heroics, undermining the grounded vibe of “Stree.” The universe-building cameos, while fun, feel tacked on—Akshay’s mental asylum bit pivots the plot, but Varun’s “Bhediya” nod is more fan service than substance.

“Stree 2” isn’t as fresh or allegorically rich as its predecessor—the original’s feminist undertones outshine this sequel’s simpler “women’s empowerment” thread. But it’s a superhit for a reason: it delivers laughs, thrills, and a rollicking good time. Flaws aside—unanswered questions from part one, a rushed finale—it’s a testament to Maddock’s knack for crowd-pleasers. Streaming on Amazon Prime Video since October 10, 2024, it’s a must-watch for fans of the genre or anyone craving Bollywood’s rare winning streak in 2024.

Rating: 4/5

A headless wonder that’s more fun than frightful— “Stree 2” proves horror-comedy is Bollywood’s golden goose, even if it doesn’t always bite as deep as it could.