Bollywood’s box office has witnessed a significant shake-up with the release of the much-anticipated horror-comedy sequel, Stree 2. Directed by Amar Kaushik and featuring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao in lead roles, the film has quickly become the highest-grossing Hindi movie of 2024. Surpassing all projections, Stree 2 has outpaced Hrithik Roshan’s Fighter within just five days of its release, establishing new benchmarks in the industry.
Released during the Republic Day weekend, Fighter initially set a high standard with a remarkable box office run, achieving approximately Rs 212.75 crores net and Rs 255 crores gross in its lifetime. However, Stree 2 has rapidly eclipsed these figures. By its fifth day, the sequel has amassed over Rs 30 crores net, bringing its cumulative domestic collection to more than Rs 220 crores net. This achievement not only dethrones Fighter from the top spot but also makes Stree 2 the highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year so far, a title it is likely to retain given its current momentum.
Adding to the film’s success is the milestone it represents for Shraddha Kapoor’s career. By its fourth day of release, Stree 2 had already surpassed the lifetime earnings of Kapoor’s previous hits, such as Chhichhore (Rs 153 crores net), Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar (Rs 147 crores net), and Saaho (Rs 145 crores net). This makes Stree 2 the highest-grossing Hindi film of Kapoor’s career. Furthermore, it marks her seventh film to cross the Rs 100 crores net mark, and more significantly, her first to breach the Rs 200 crores barrier domestically. This success cements her reputation as one of Bollywood’s most dependable stars.
As of its fifth day, Stree 2 has already ascended to become the 31st biggest grosser in the history of Hindi cinema. With its ongoing strong performance, the film is on track to enter the top 25 by Tuesday, further solidifying its place in Bollywood history.
In the broader context of the 2024 Hindi box office, Stree 2 now stands as the second-highest grosser of the year, trailing only behind the massive hit Kalki 2898 AD, which has so far collected over Rs 293 crores net. However, given the positive reception and the film’s strong word-of-mouth appeal, industry analysts predict that Stree 2 may close this gap in the coming weeks.
The resounding success of Stree 2 is a significant victory not just for its cast and crew but also for the horror-comedy genre in Bollywood. The film’s innovative blend of humor, suspense, and supernatural elements has struck a chord with audiences, demonstrating a robust demand for creative and fresh storytelling in Indian cinema.
As Stree 2 continues its record-breaking run, all eyes are on the upcoming weekend to see if it can maintain its box office dominance and perhaps even challenge Kalki 2898 AD for the top spot in 2024.