Amid Stree 2 credit war, Aparshakti Khurana says he is ‘proud’ everyone is being credited for film’s success: ‘When writers keep getting lost in…’

Stree 2 is full of Easter eggs and the audiences are thrilled to find new cues about the story and the film’s third installment. When asked about the conversations and discussions actors would have while making the film, Aparshakti says, “No one can watch Stree 2 only once. I am hearing how people are watching and rewatching it. It was great working on this film, not only because the first part of the film was a success, but also because of how we vibed so well with each other. We could sit down and were capable of discussing how we want to take it ahead, and what will be about our characters that will stay with the viewers. All of us could discuss ways to make each other’s characters even more impactful.”

The actor gives special credit to director Amar Kaushik — whom he calls the captain of the ship — and the writer Niren Bhatt. He says, “This was all possible even after all of us were doing good work in our space. Rajkummar Rao was coming after Mahi, I was coming after Jubilee, Abhishek was coming from Apurva, Shraddha was coming from Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar, Pankaj ji had OMG 2, and Fukrey. In the five years (after Stree) and all the amazing work every one of us had done, we could still get back to where we had left Stree and take it a notch higher. It says a lot about our dedication and commitment to Stree and I can’t stop lading the makers, our director Amar Kaushik who could build the world of Stree all over again and make it even bigger this time.”

“There was a lot of responsibility because people had very high expectations from us. It was a little intimidating. But the calm and composed demeanour of Amar Kaushik and writer Niren Bhatt, and the makers’ commitment towards maintaining the language and pitch of the film is impeccable. Everybody was so true to their craft while making the film, and so transparent with one another… it is quite rare,” he adds.

While the film received a lot of love, there was a credit war regarding who the film belonged to — Shraddha Kapoor or Rajkummar Rao? Reacting to this, Aparshakti says, “I would only say that, and not to sound diplomatic, that aise kaise ho sakta bhai ki ek insaan ne film bana di aur ek insaan ne kar di acting (How is it possible that one person will make the film and one person will act in it)? It is not possible. The film is made by the producer, director, writer and the five actors, and the film then belongs to the audience. There is equal contribution from the makers, the audiences, and the media, for keeping the momentum going since the film was announced. It is an equal contribution of everyone attached to the film, it would not be possible to make it even if one person was missing.”

Aparshakti also says he is proud that everyone who has worked on the film is getting love and acclaim for their work at a time when writers keep getting lost when credits roll. “We keep hearing about instances where sometimes the producers don’t get the credit, most of the time the writer doesn’t get any credit, here everyone is being celebrated for their contribution, for their work, and it is commendable. None of us felt left out, it is everybody’s film and I am proud of that fact.”