As ‘Stree 2’ hits theatres today, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit what made the original ‘Stree’ such a standout success in 2018. This Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor starrer wasn’t just another horror film; it was a genre-bending experience that seamlessly blended horror, comedy and social commentary, making it one of Bollywood’s most innovative films in recent years.
The Story of Stree
Stree is set in the small town of Chanderi, where an urban legend looms large over the residents. The town is haunted by a vengeful spirit known as “Stree,” who is said to abduct men at night, leaving behind only their clothes. The locals live in fear, especially during the annual four-day festival, which is believed to be the time when Stree is most active. To protect themselves, they write “O Stree, Kal Aana” (O Woman, Come Tomorrow) on the walls of their homes, hoping to deter the spirit.
The film follows Vicky (played by Rajkummar Rao), a talented tailor known for his expertise in women’s clothing. Vicky is charming, naive, and unaware of the supernatural dangers lurking in his town. His life takes a mysterious turn when he meets an enigmatic woman (played by Shraddha Kapoor) who asks him to stitch a lehenga for her, but refuses to reveal her name or background. Vicky is smitten by her, but his friends Bittu (Aparshakti Khurana) and Jana (Abhishek Banerjee) are suspicious of her true intentions.
As the story unfolds, the mysterious woman’s identity and intentions become more and more ambiguous, leading to a series of twists and turns that keep the audience guessing. The film builds up to a thrilling climax where Vicky, with the help of his friends and a local expert on the paranormal, Rudra (Pankaj Tripathi), attempts to confront Stree and break the cycle of fear that has gripped the town for years.
The Ending and its Implications
The ending of Stree left audiences with more questions than answers, a deliberate move that set the stage for a sequel. In the climax, Vicky and his friends, along with the mysterious woman (played by Shraddha), come up with a plan to confront and defeat Stree. They believe that by chopping off Stree’s braid (which is thought to be her source of power), they can end her reign of terror. Vicky and the mysterious woman successfully lure Stree into a trap and cut her braid, resulting in her disappearance. In the aftermath, the townspeople believe that Stree is gone for good, and life returns to normal. The film ends with a shot of the town’s “O Stree, Kal Aana” sign being altered to read “O Stree, Raksha Karna” (O Woman, Protect Us), suggesting that the town’s relationship with Stree has changed.
But in the closing scenes, an intriguing twist is introduced. The mysterious woman leaves town on a bus without revealing her true identity. Later, she is seen attaching Stree’s braid to her own head. Her eyes turn red before she quickly vanishes from the bus.
This ending leaves the audience with many questions: Who exactly is the mysterious woman? What are her true intentions? Has Stree been defeated, or has she merely taken on a new form? These open-ended questions are expected to be addressed in Stree 2.
Why Stree Was a Game-Changer
What set Stree apart from other Bollywood horror films was its unique blend of horror and comedy, a combination that is often difficult to balance. Director Amar Kaushik skillfully navigated this tightrope, creating moments of genuine fright alongside laugh-out-loud humour. The film’s dialogues, penned by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, were sharp, witty, and loaded with references to social issues, particularly around gender dynamics and the treatment of women in society.
One of the film’s most significant achievements was how it subtly wove in a social message without being preachy. Through the character of Stree, the film metaphorically addressed the societal fears and anxieties surrounding the empowerment of women. The ghost of Stree, who terrorises men, can be seen as a symbolic representation of the fear of retribution in a patriarchal society where women are often oppressed.
Why Stree Was a Huge Box Office Success
Stree was a breath of fresh air in an industry dominated by formulaic films. It proved that mainstream Bollywood could deliver content that was both entertaining and thought-provoking, without relying on the usual tropes. The film’s success paved the way for more genre-blending films and opened up new possibilities for horror-comedy in Indian cinema. The film grossed over Rs 180 crore at the box office against its reported budget of Rs 23–25 crore, becoming a huge blockbuster.
As Stree 2 releases today, fans of the original film can expect more of the same clever storytelling, quirky humour, and unexpected twists that made Stree a modern classic. For those who haven’t seen the first film, now is the perfect time to catch up on what is arguably one of the most innovative Bollywood films in recent years.