4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Aug 16, 2024 10:03 PM IST
Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao-starrer horror-comedy Stree 2 created history by earning a total of Rs 64.80 crore from its Wednesday paid previews and Independence Day collection. While audience and critics are lauding the stars for their power-packed performances, industry insiders Hansal Mehta and Kangana Ranaut requested people to not just focus on the stars but the entire team.
In a long post, Kangana, who is gearing up for her film Emergency, wrote, “Movie Stree has shattered all records, congratulations to the entire team but the real hero of a film is the director. In India, we don’t give enough credit or appreciation to directors that’s why not many youngsters want to be writers/directors. Everyone who wants a career in films meets me for guidance, wants to be either an actor or a superstar. Who will make movies if all become actors! Socho! (Think).”
She added, “So please learn the names of all good directors, who do so much to entertain and engage you and please follow them also. Learn about their lives and process as well as please appreciate them and encourage them too.”
A screengrab of Kangana Ranaut’s Instagram story.
The actress thanked the film’s director and wrote, “Dear Amar Kaushik sir, thank you for this much-needed all time blockbuster.”
Hansal Mehta, who has previously collaborated with Kangana Ranaut on the 2017 film Simran, also reacted to the success of Amar Kaushik’s Stree 2. Taking to X handle, Hansal wrote, “When you celebrate the success of Stree 2 remember that it goes beyond the narrow star driven calculations that abound in the industry. Don’t trivialise it’s success by attributing it to one star. This is a talent vehicle, studded with exceptional writing, directorial and histrionic talent.”
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He added, “It is a triumph for Rajkummar who we love because he is such a superlative actor. It is a triumph for Amar Kaushik because of his command over the medium and his ability to expertly craft a script into meaningful entertainment for the masses. It is a triumph for Niren Bhatt’s writing – from Taarak Mehta to Bala to Bhediya to Munjya, the man has consistently delivered. It is a triumph for an ensemble that is as much a principal lead as Raj and Shraddha. It is a triumph for Indian mainstream cinema. Finally real talent wins.”
Hansal concluded his post by saying, “Trade experts and often many critics will still make reductive observations – remember they are no experts. Just people who thrive on oversimplifying talent, story, success and failure.”
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The makers of Stree 2 proudly released a poster claiming the film collected a total of Rs 76.5 crore India nett including paid previews. According to early estimates by industry tracker Sacnilk, the film, on Friday has already collected over Rs 22.76 crore. The film earned seven times more than Akshay Kumar-starrer Khel Khel Mein and has even surpassed John Abraham’s Vedaa at the box office.
The horror-comedy drama is a sequel to the 2018 film Stree–the first movie in Dinesh Vijan’s horror universe. Apart from Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, the film also stars Abhishek Banerjee, Pankaj Tripathi, and Aparshakti Khurrana in pivotal roles. Actors Tamannaah Bhatia, Akshay Kumar, and Varun Dhawan make special appearances in the movie.
A screengrab of Kangana Ranaut’s Instagram story.
Kangana Ranaut and Hansal Mehta react to Stree 2 success. (Photo: IMDb)