Stree 2 is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language horror comedy film directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner of Maddock Films, in association with Jio Studios. A sequel to the 2018 hit Stree, the film continues the supernatural narrative set in the fictional town of Chanderi and forms part of Maddock's expanding horror comedy universe. It stars Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Banerjee, with Tamannaah Bhatia in a special appearance.
| Title | Stree 2 |
|---|---|
| Subtitle | Sarkate Ka Aatank |
| Director | Amar Kaushik |
| Producer | Dinesh Vijan |
| Writers | Niren Bhatt (screenplay and dialogues); story by Niren Bhatt with Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. |
| Production companies | Maddock Films; Jio Studios |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Horror comedy |
| Release date | 15 August 2024 (theatrical) |
| Predecessor | Stree (2018) |
| Cinematic universe | Maddock Supernatural Universe |
The original Stree, released on 31 August 2018, drew loosely on the urban legend of "Nale Ba" reported from parts of Karnataka in the 1990s, in which a female spirit was believed to call out men by name at night. The film's commercial and critical success led Maddock Films to develop a connected universe of folklore-inspired horror comedies, which subsequently included Roohi (2021), Bhediya (2022) and Munjya (2024). Stree 2 was conceived as a direct continuation of the Chanderi storyline.
The narrative returns to Chanderi, a real historical town in the Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh known for its handloom sarees and medieval monuments. In the sequel, the town faces a new threat from a headless male entity referred to as the Sarkata, who abducts the women of Chanderi. Vicky, his friends and the enigmatic woman from the first film must confront the new menace.
Principal photography was carried out across locations including Chanderi and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, along with studio work in Mumbai. The music was composed by Sachin–Jigar, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The track Aaj Ki Raat, featuring Tamannaah Bhatia, became one of the most widely streamed Hindi film songs of 2024. The background score was composed by Ketan Sodha.
Stree 2 was released theatrically on 15 August 2024, coinciding with India's Independence Day, and clashed at the box office with Khel Khel Mein and Vedaa. It received generally positive reviews, with critics highlighting the writing, performances of Rajkummar Rao and Pankaj Tripathi, and its blend of social commentary with comedy. The film became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 2024 and a major commercial success for Maddock Films.
The film is regarded as a landmark in the Maddock Supernatural Universe, expanding the franchise model in Hindi cinema by integrating recurring characters and crossover cameos. Its commercial performance reinforced the viability of mid-budget, folklore-rooted horror comedies in mainstream Hindi cinema during a period when several big-budget releases underperformed. The film also brought renewed attention to Chanderi as a cultural and tourism destination.