The horror-comedy Stree 2, starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, has surged past the lifetime earnings of Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal at the Indian box office. The film has now become the second-highest-grossing Hindi movie of the year, only trailing Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster Jawan.
According to film trade analyst Taran Adarsh, Stree 2 has collected ₹583.35 crore domestically by its fifth Monday in theatres, surpassing Animal, which earned ₹553.87 crore. Directed by Amar Kaushik and written by Niren Bhatt, the film is a sequel to the 2018 hit Stree, continuing its mix of horror and comedy to great success.
Stree 2 saw an impressive weekend in its fifth week, with strong collections despite it being deep into its theatrical run. The film grossed ₹3.60 crore on Friday, followed by ₹5.55 crore on Saturday and ₹6.85 crore on Sunday, with a further ₹3.17 crore on Monday. Taran Adarsh pointed out that the film’s consistent box office performance indicates it could make history by becoming the first Hindi film to cross the ₹600 crore mark.
While Jawan still holds the top spot, with lifetime earnings of ₹640.25 crore in India, Stree 2 is closing the gap. Released in 2023, Jawan featured an ensemble cast, including Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, and Deepika Padukone in a special role.
Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Ranbir Kapoor, also made headlines with its multi-lingual release in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada. While it had a solid box office run, its portrayal of violent, misogynistic male characters drew criticism from some sections of the audience.
In Stree 2, the narrative shifts from the ghost of a wronged woman to the introduction of a new villain, Sarkata, a headless antagonist abducting strong, independent women. The plot thickens when Sarkata demolishes the statue of Stree, the protector of Chanderi, marking the start of his reign.
Director Amar Kaushik expressed his excitement over the film’s success, admitting that the overwhelming response took him by surprise, despite the team’s confidence in the movie. After a well-deserved celebration, Kaushik is already looking ahead to his next project.
With Stree 2 inching closer to breaking the ₹600 crore barrier, it remains a major player in this year’s box office race, solidifying its place as a standout hit in Indian cinema.
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