Stree 2

Niren Bhatt (story, screenplay, dialogue credits) keeps the pace in check, with the first half quite excellent.

Initially, the scenes play out like one happy reunion, which underscore the Stree universe's enduring charm as well as the sequel's sure-shot success irrespective of whether it would deliver on the promise of bigger and better.

The biggest issue with Stree 2, however, is the VFX. Sarkata stands for toxic masculinity and the dire consequences of leaving something like that unchecked and that is quite a menacing evil but the VFX makes him feel almost cartoon-ish. Understandably, Stree 2 is meant to be a movie for all ages but the ‘cartoon’ quality comes from the VFX being shabby rather than feeling intentional. As a result, the sequel simply isn’t as scary as the original which is a pity because switching the sex of the antagonist in the themes that Stree operates with should’ve had the opposite effect. Stree 2 is still immensely watchable and is a theatre viewing experience I have missed – go with friends, go with family.

Stree 2 has a lot going for it—the writing is sharper, the references to other films and pop-culture moments are smartly woven into the script, and the VFX has definitely improved. Where Stree 2 struggles the most is in its fight to keep the tempo going. The gags and punches at times get overbearing and exhausting, while the climax is deafeningly loud and repetitive with many scenes overlapping each other. Thankfully, the cast makes up for the lack of better storytelling. Rajkummar is in top form and has effortless comic timing. Shraddha provides the right blend of mystery and intrigue as Stree. Aparshakti and Abhishek Banerjee’s characters are well-defined and contribute significantly to the overall plot. Pankaj Tripathi has the most whistle-worthy lines and goes for the kill.