Stree 2: Sarkate Ka Aatank Review

There's an ongoing debate about whose movie Stree 2 truly is - Shraddha Kapoor or Rajkumar Rao. The answer is clear: it belongs to the writer.

Back in the day, we had VHS tapes to bring movies home, and for those who couldn't afford a VCP or VCR, audio cassettes were the next best thing. Yes, people would "listen" to movies. But only the crème de la crème, like Sholay, Ek Duuje Ke Liye and Shakti, made it to those tapes. If Stree 2 had been around then, it would have undoubtedly earned its place among those classics. But it's 2024, and now everything - good or bad - finds its way to OTT platforms after its theatrical run.

Now let's take it a step further. Picture yourself on a distant planet with no electricity - no digital videos or audios to entertain you. Even then, just reading the screenplay of Stree 2 would be as enjoyable as watching the movie itself, complete with all the bells and whistles of modern cinema. The writing is just that brilliant.

Finally, I experienced that collective theatre joy where the audience was in stitches. The first movie in 2018 was a surprise hit as a low-budget comedy, and the sequel again hits all the right notes, and more. If the first film was gold, as many claimed, this one is platinum. Indeed, Stree 2 is like a mad-verse product, a perfect storm of creativity where all the stars align. Even as a self-proclaimed atheist, I wouldn't dare say this was mere luck - it feels like divine intervention that we get to watch a masterpiece like this. A horror sequel that surpasses the original is almost unheard of, but here we are with Stree 2: Sarakate Ka Aatank.

The first film introduced us to four unique, hilarious and intriguing characters played by Rajkumar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana and Pankaj Tripathi. Set in the small town of Chanderi, the story unfolded over four days of a local festival, where the legend of Stree - a vengeful spirit - cast a shadow over the town, compelling residents to paint their walls with the phrase "O Stree Kal Aana" to ward off the malevolent entity. We learned that Stree was the spirit of a courtesan, burned alive by a jealous mob on her wedding day, and now she abducts men by calling out their names. With the help of Shraddha Kapoor's mysterious character, the heroes manage to sever Stree's choti, the source of her power. The film ends on a tantalizing note, hinting that Shraddha's character might be a witch herself.

Now, in Stree 2, we return to Chanderi, but this time, a new character, Sarkate, is haunting the town. Sarkate is believed to be the one who killed Stree, turning her into the vengeful spirit. The roles are reversed, as women, not men, are now under threat. The big question is whether the ragtag group of misfits, with Shraddha Kapoor's help, can stop Sarkate before the festival ends, before he becomes invincible.

Living up to the first film's quality is no small task, especially since the original was a home run, thanks in large part to the camaraderie among the characters. But the sequel captures these light-hearted moments brilliantly, and every joke lands. The makers label it a horror-comedy, but in reality it's the comedy that takes centrestage, with the horror lurking in the background.

The movie relies only a little on special effects (the original had none), mainly for Sarkate (a headless demon) and other paranormal beings. However, this reliance on CGI doesn't detract from the grounded atmosphere, where tension is built through mood and setting rather than flashy effects. Only the climax drags on a tad bit long.

Stree 2 cannot be dismissed as just a fun horror-comedy; it subtly tackles significant social issues. Sarkate is a misogynist patriarchal demon and makes women fear stepping out of their homes in Chanderi, a place where they once lived freely. It reflects unsettling real-life parallels. The film's social context adds a layer of depth to what could have been just another horror-comedy.

All the major cast members have reprised their roles. The chemistry among them - especially between Rajkumar Rao, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee and Pankaj Tripathi - is a joy to watch. They genuinely seem like old friends, and their camaraderie injects both humour and heart into the film.

Shraddha Kapoor also shines, bringing a strong and mysterious presence that contrasts with her role in the first film. Yet, it's Rajkumar Rao who carries the film on his shoulders with his effortless humour and convincing portrayal of a man navigating absurd situations. His performance alone makes the film worth watching.

The icings on the cake are the strategic cameos of Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia and Varun Dhawan. Tamannaah especially leaves her mark - this movie hints that her versatility is yet to be fully explored.

Stree 2 is a solid, entertaining experience at the movies. In an era where sequels often disappoint by lacking in the essence of what made the original special, this film holds onto what we loved about the misfits of Chanderi. The collective joy of laughing in a packed theatre for a commercial Bollywood film is rare, and Stree 2 brings that feeling back.