Stree 2 has officially claimed the spot of the second-highest-grossing Hindi film in India, surpassing Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal. The Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer horror-comedy has collected a staggering ₹583.35 crore at the domestic box office, edging past Animal‘s ₹553.87 crore lifetime earnings.
According to film trade analyst Taran Adarsh, Stree 2’s success comes after a robust performance on its fifth Monday in theaters. The movie, directed by Amar Kaushik and written by Niren Bhatt, has sustained its momentum with special offers like the “buy one get one free” ticket deal, which boosted ticket sales over the weekend. Adarsh shared on Twitter that the film is “on track to make HISTORY” by potentially becoming the first Hindi film to surpass the ₹600 crore mark.
Stree 2 vs. Animal and Jawan
In comparison, Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan remains the top-grossing Hindi film in India with a lifetime collection of ₹640.25 crore. Released in September 2023, Jawan starred Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, and featured Deepika Padukone in a special appearance. The action-packed film continues to hold its position as the highest earner.
Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and released on December 1, 2024, garnered significant attention due to its star-studded cast, including Ranbir Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, and Triptii Dimri. Despite crossing the ₹550 crore mark, Animal faced criticism for its portrayal of violent, misogynistic characters. While the film was a box office success, it fell short of matching the appeal and earnings of Stree 2.
Plot and Success of Stree 2
Stree 2, a sequel to the 2018 hit Stree, expands on the horror-comedy genre, focusing on a new antagonist, Sarkata, a headless villain who abducts independent women. The film’s unique storyline and strong performances by Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi have resonated with audiences, propelling its box office success.
The film’s director, Amar Kaushik, expressed his surprise at the overwhelming response. “We were confident that the film was good, but we didn’t expect these big numbers… I’m sleep-deprived. I barely slept, so first I’ll sleep and then I’ll start thinking of my next movie,” Kaushik shared in an interview with PTI.
Future Prospects
With Stree 2 now within striking distance of the ₹600 crore milestone, it’s poised to set a new benchmark for Hindi cinema. The film’s continued success highlights the growing appeal of unique and unconventional narratives in the Indian film industry, especially within the horror-comedy genre.
Sources By Agencies
