Amar Kaushik Addresses Criticism Over Shraddha Kapoor’s Role in Stree 2. This film Stree 2, directed by Amar Kaushik and starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor. It has been a box office hit since its release on August 15. The sequel to the 2018 film Stree is approaching the ₹300 crore mark globally. Despite its success, some viewers have criticized the film for giving Shraddha Kapoor’s character limited screen time. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Kaushik explained the creative decisions behind this choice.
Director’s Explanation
Kaushik addressed the concerns about Shraddha Kapoor’s screen time, stating that the decision was deliberate to enhance her character’s impact. “We write what is required,” he said, emphasizing that more scenes with Shraddha would have lessened the impact of her powerful entry and presence. For Kaushik, the script is paramount, and all decisions must serve the story organically.
He also responded to complaints about Aparshakti Khurana’s reduced screen time in the film’s second half. Kaushik explained that Khurana’s character arc required him to be less visible after being hypnotized or possessed by the villain, Sarkata. This was necessary for the script, similar to how Abhishek Banerjee’s character appears 40 minutes into the film.
Creative Freedom: Kaushik highlighted the creative freedom he enjoys from his producer, allowing him to prioritize the script’s needs over actors’ screen time. He stressed that the focus is always on what the story requires, not on giving more screen time to popular characters.
About the Film
Stree 2 follows a group of friends led by Rajkummar Rao’s character, Vicky, a tailor in the town of Chanderi. The town is terrorized by the villain, Sarkata, and the mysterious woman played by Shraddha Kapoor. The film also stars Abhishek Banerjee, Pankaj Tripathi, and Aparshakti Khurana in key roles. Maddock Films Produced the film, Jio Studios, and Dinesh Vijan, Stree 2 was released alongside other films such as Khel Khel Mein, Vedaa, Thangalaan, and Double iSmart.
Despite the criticism, Stree 2 has been a massive success at the box office. Amar Kaushik’s defense of his creative choices underscores the importance of storytelling and character impact over mere screen time.