- Thursday, September 12, 2024
The director claims his love for the genre is evident in his work, which often includes unexpected twists and turns
By: shajil kumar
AMAR KAUSHIK’S “Stree 2” has achieved significant success, nearing the Rs 300 crore mark globally within a week of its release.
The director has acknowledged the strong performance of the sequel to 2018’s “Stree” but noted that the results exceeded the team’s expectations.
“We were confident that the film was good, but we didn’t expect that it would get these big numbers,” Kaushik said in an interview with PTI.
The film, which continues the horror-comedy narrative, has been well-received by audiences. Kaushik, however, admitted that the success has left him sleep-deprived. “I’m sleep deprived. I barely slept, so first I’ll sleep and then I’ll start thinking of my next movie,” he added.
Kaushik originally did not intend to start his filmmaking career with a horror film. He had hoped to debut with “Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga,” a thriller featuring Rajkummar Rao, who later became the lead in “Stree.” While Kaushik eventually produced “Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga” for Netflix in 2023, it was directed by Ajay Singh.
Reflecting on the creation of “Stree,” Kaushik shared that there was no clear reference for the film during its editing phase, which made the process challenging.
Despite his initial reservations about entering the horror genre, the trailer’s positive reception and the subsequent box office performance proved that the audience was eager for the unique experience the film offered.
Kaushik’s goal is to continue delivering fresh experiences to the audience. “I was also an audience member a few years back, and I was craving for good cinema, and something new. When I got the chance to make it (‘Stree’), I tried to give something new,” he said.
The director also discussed his approach to incorporating elements of thrillers into his films. His love for the genre is evident in his work, which often includes unexpected twists and turns.
Kaushik highlighted the importance of engaging audiences with familiar yet innovative storytelling, drawing from mythology, pop culture, and his own experiences.
“Stree 2” was developed over two and a half years, with Kaushik and the team exploring ways to expand the “Stree” universe. The film introduces a headless villain connected to the original character and incorporates themes from Indian mythology.
