Bollywood Spooky universe with Stree, Bhool Bhulaiyya, Kartik Aryan' Jigra and more
Stree 2
Stree, a simple, regular word, was made into an iconic film [and now a franchise] by the creative team, collectively and collaboratively. I did not meet anyone who did not like the Part 1. It was a simple, loveable, goose-bump-giving horror comedy film that truly deserved its success.
When Stree Part 2 was announced, fans like me were thrilled and could not wait to watch the trio unfold the magic with the gorgeous Shraddha Kapoor and Tripathi. After all, everyone wants to know the mystery of Chotiwali Shraddha, as it is evident that she is equally spooky. But story kya hai?
It was out of a collective effort where everyone shone. The story was the hero and the screenplay was the trophy.
So, was Stree2? Did it add to the Josh or like many sequels, squealed into m it'sediocrity?
O' Stree, Dhaniya lana
Let's chit-chat about the movie and the controversies surrounding it, all with a pinch of coriander. Yeah, you heard me right. With prices increasing to as high as Rs 60 for 100 grams, dhaniya, aka coriander, aka cilantro, has become a luxury commodity, much to the chagrin of multiple dhaniya-loving Stree like me. Talking about Dhaniya, sorry, Stree-Dhan, the film allegedly made a huge sum and success at the box office.
While the dhaniya is still unavailable on multiple online marts, Stree 2 is freely available online on YouTube with even fake videos raking in views over thousands. Such is the craze.
Does the film live up to the hype? Well, the storyline is promising. There is a headless man abducting women who smoke, wear skimpy clothes, and, women who are "stereotypical" modern and liberals. Why? we do not know. He shaves their heads, siphons away their lives from them, and makes them live stalled lives like widows in the past were made to do- breathing but lifeless. Men who come to protect these women are hypnotized into chauvinism by this headless VFX monster. Until some liberal men, a spirit, and a wolf with the sneakers issue come to their rescue. Their shenanigans revolve around weakening powerful women even if she is a spirit.
The dialogue comedy is all fine as the film is targeted for mass entertainment and you just cannot expect Vipul Goyal or Kamra kind of jokes. However, there is room for all these people or say fresh faces including Zakir Khan but why Akshay Kumar? What kind of metaphor was that? The beginning of the film almost kills the hype with Pankaj Tripathi singing an unnecessary song, an unnecessary love angle with Tamanna Bhatia were other few "can do without such terrifying" elements. Aparshakti singing Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty, makes an interesting cut for the trailer but doesn't explore the Sheldon-like traits in him. The movie felt a little dragged, which is actually not a great thing for sequels.
While the metaphors in the film were relevant and good, Shraddha Kapoor along with Abhisehk Bannerji was excellent too. So, if Baazigar's success could lead to SRK's rise as a superstar, why Shraddha Kapoor cannot be credited or benefit from Stree 2's success? Why does it always have to be a male star? Nope, I am not a feminist.
Is Shraddha Kapoor taking away all the credit?
When Bhool Bhulaiya 2 became a hit, who took the credit? Karthik Aryan and rightfully so. So, why much furor over Shraddha Kapoor now? She was brilliant in both films and in the sequel, she came up as the savior, guiding the 3 actors with her LED braid. It is like Avengers where despite the ensemble, Iron men get more accolades.
Success has many fathers, for the first time, it is enjoying having a mother. Or is it a PR game? Why do you care? The more you care over such insignificant content, the more nonsense you will get to see.
Media esp YouTube media creates unnecessary clickbait and enjoys the trend with stupid videos to earn money on someone else's name in the name of content.
Bollywood Spooky Universe Ya Saavi Ka Jigra
No, I am not hinting at the irrelevant war going on between Divya Kumar and Karan Johar for Jigra. Neither Jailbreaking stories nor horror comedies are monopolistic. Even though Stree is alleged to have heavily borrowed from Stranger Things, the truth is that Stree managed to win the audience's hearts and views and successfully established India's first horror comedy universe—the Streeverse.
Even though Bollywood Boycott Shraddha Kapoor, now after Stree 2, things should change. Unlike Manjulika, who keeps changing in another horror comedy franchise- Bhool Bhulaiyya aka BB.
Bhool Bhuilayya 3 and Bollywood ka horror Universe
Bhool Bhuilayya 3 trailer has come out and the film seems interesting with Madhuri Dixit's cameo. Amisha Patel happily married Akshay Kumar and settled abroad after part 1. Kiara Advani is replaced by Tripti Dimri. But the original Manjulika Vidya Balan is back. Akshay Kumar who played her psychiatrist, seems to lost his marble and is in Chanderi Asylum. One thing needs to be added- Bipasha Basu. The "once upon a time" lead actor for multiple horror films including the one that tanked at BO, giving producers a shrill. Hope the makers will rope her back, giving a dope to otherwise stale Bhatt's horror universe. Their last horror film was Road 2, I guess.
Whatever it is, I am keen to watch BB3 for Kartik Aryan. He is charismatic; you cannot deny it. So what if he is mismatched against national crush Tripti Dimri with a Tharki Takiya Kalam? You never know if the film makes it look better.
I mean it looked better when she said it for Rajkumar Rao but looks misfit in the BB3 trailer. Tharki is not the key here, it is Tripti Dimri and the roles she has been reduced to off late. Though she was good in Bad Newz and Animal too, nothing beats her performance in Bulbul. Speaking of the Bollywood spooky universe, she did a classy Bulbbul at the beginning of her career, only to gyrate misogynistically in mindless songs after becoming famous. It is another discussion for some other day. Maybe Khanna Aunty will come back from her hiatus.
After all, wo stree hai, kuch bhi kar sakti hai!
So, Is Stree better than Animal, Jawan, and Pathan?
Yes!
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