Stree 2's box office rampage shows no signs of slowing down. On August 29, 2024, the horror-comedy, directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Maddock Films, earned INR 444.50 crore in India, and it is highly likely to cross the INR 500 crore mark in its third weekend. The fact that the movie achieved this while keeping multiple box office competitors at bay is a remarkable feat. Stree 2 stars Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana, with cameos from Tamannaah Bhatia, Varun Dhawan, and Akshay Kumar. It is the fourth film in the Maddock Supernatural Universe, which also includes Stree (2018), Bhediya, and Munjya. ‘Stree 2’ Movie Review: A Stellar Rajkummar Rao and a ‘Massy’ Shraddha Kapoor Are Electrifying Together in This ‘Laughs & Spooks’-Packed Sequel.

By this time, Stree 2 has entered the top five Bollywood highest-grossing films of all time (excluding the Hindi versions of Baahubali 2, Kalki 2898 AD, and KGF Chapter 2). It is the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2024, and if the momentum continues, it could become the highest-grossing Hindi movie of all time, surpassing Jawan.

The Budget of 'Stree 2'

According to reports, Stree 2 was made on a controlled budget of INR 60 crore, which makes its box office earnings even more impressive, given the substantial profit margin purely from its domestic earnings.

Watch the Trailer of 'Stree 2':

Worldwide, the movie has grossed INR 632.74 crore.

What Can We Learn From 'Stree 2' Box Office Reign?

Here are five lessons every director and producer can learn from Stree 2's box office success:

1. Competition Doesn't Matter When Your Content Speaks

A Still From Stree 2

Stree 2 was released on August 15, 2024, alongside Khel Khel Mein and Vedaa in Hindi, both featuring big names in the cast. Interestingly, Akshay Kumar, who played the lead in Khel Khel Mein, had a cameo in Stree 2. Tamannaah had cameos in both Stree 2 and Vedaa, while Abhishek Banerjee, who played one of the main characters in Stree 2, was the main antagonist in Vedaa. Yet, despite the shared cast and screens, Stree 2 raced miles ahead of its competitors (which are struggling to cross INR 50 crore combined in India). So while people may make a fuss over clashes, if your film has a strong hold over the audience before and after release, competition hardly matters. ‘Khel Khel Mein’ Box Office Verdict – Hit or Flop: Akshay Kumar’s Comedy Movie Crumbles in the Face of a Mighty ‘Stree 2’ – Find Out How Much Loss It Incurred!

2. Big Stars Don't Matter When Your Characters and Setting Find Love

A Still From Stree 2

We are not saying A-listers don't matter, but the successes of movies like Baahubali 2, Pushpa 2, Kantara, and now Stree 2 in northern India prove that what truly matters is the audience's acceptance of a complete entertainment package that doesn't feel manipulative. Since the first Stree did an excellent job of endearing the characters and lore to the audience, Stree 2 only had to build on that, which it did most appealingly (even if IMO, Stree > Stree 2). The credit for the film's success cannot be restricted to just one star, as some fan clubs might suggest, but actually belongs to the entire team, with much praise being reserved for Kaushik and his creative team.

3. Crucial to Have a Controlled Budget Without Compromising Scope

A Still From Stree 2

Stree 2 was reportedly made on a budget of INR 60 crore, making its profit margin much higher than many recent blockbusters (86% at the time of writing this article). For a film like Stree 2, the budget is sufficient, even with some lofty ambitions, as evident in the climax. However, the USP of the movie is its entertaining blend of comedy and horror elements. While the VFX may not always be up to the mark, it hardly detracts from the experience when the viewer is laughing at the jokes. It is also crucial to have actors with fantastic comic timing, and Stree 2 excels in that department. ‘Stree’, ‘Bhediya’, ‘Munjya’, ‘Stree 2’ – Ranking All Four Horror-Comedies in Maddock Supernatural Universe From Worst to Best!

4. Well-Edited Trailer and Chartbuster Songs Are a Major Plus

A Still From Stree 2

First impressions are lasting impressions, and the makers of Stree 2 knew this well. Already benefitting from the success of the first film, Stree 2 could have relied on that adulation to get itself noticed. Yet, the makers released a very entertaining and well-edited trailer that impressed everyone and kept them excited for the film's release. Another aspect filmmakers should not compromise on is having chartbuster songs. Tracks like "Aaj Ki Raat" and "Aayi Nai" helped boost the early hype before the movie's release.

5. No Need for Early 'Positive' Reviews If You Are Confident in the Film

A Still From Stree 2

It has long been a practice for certain Hindi films to release early reviews that are overwhelmingly positive to build credibility for a movie. Some movie reviewers and influencers get to watch these films long before others, and social media is then flooded with praise. However, the audience has gotten smarter. We're not sure if this tactic is still effective. Stree 2 had its press screening around the same time as its preview shows for general audiences. The reviews came out around the same time as the first-day-first-show audience's word of mouth. The makers were so confident in their product that they knew both would align with the same vibe. Stree 2 not only garnered good reviews but also earned the love of its fans—a double victory!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2024 01:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).