Stree 2, featuring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, became a massive hit at the box office in 2024, establishing itself as one of Hindi cinema’s top blockbusters. Not only did it secure the title of the third highest-grossing Indian film, but it also emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi film of the year. In a recent conversation with Komal Nahta, Karan Johar expressed his admiration for the film’s success, attributing much of it to the collective efforts of the cast and the producer-director duo.
Karan Johar praised the film’s performance, sharing his excitement about its success. He highlighted how Stree 2 did not rely on a huge star cast or the presence of big names, but instead, was driven by the conviction of the producer and director. “It’s inspiring to see a film thrive without the backing of six superstars. The power of conviction is what made it work,” Karan said. He specifically applauded producer Dinesh Vijan and director Amar Kaushik for their exceptional work. Karan also took a moment to praise the entire cast, including Rajkummar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurrana, and Shraddha Kapoor, with a special mention for the efforts of Vijan and Kaushik.
Karan further emphasized the changing dynamics of the film industry, noting that the current era is one where the producer plays a central role. “The producer is at the forefront now. The success of a film depends not just on the director or the stars, but on how the project is executed, positioned, and released. The strategies used in the release process are crucial,” he stated. He also acknowledged that it is the age of studios and producers who are leading the way.
Stree 2, which hit theaters on August 15, 2024, is the sequel to the 2018 film that revolved around a vengeful female ghost. The new installment introduces Sarkata, a headless villain who abducts women with an independent voice. The film is part of Dinesh Vijan’s expansive horror-comedy universe, which includes other successful films like Bhediya and Munjya, presented under the banner of Maddock Films.
