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Vicky Kaushal was offered the horror-comedy before Rajkummar Rao, but he turned it down.
The release of Stree 2, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, has marked a significant success at the box office, continuing the momentum of its predecessor from 2018. The first film established Rajkummar Rao as a notable talent, particularly through his role as Vicky. However, it was Vicky Kaushal’s decision to decline the film that paved the way for Rao’s breakthrough, as Kaushal opted to pursue a different project, Manmarziyaan, instead.
In a past episode of Vogue BFFs, Vicky Kaushal reflected on his choice to turn down Stree, expressing some regret over missing out on what became a major hit. He noted, “Stree, that was because I was doing Manmarziyaan.” While Kaushal garnered acclaim for his performance in Manmarziyaan, the film fell short at the box office, contrasting sharply with the success of Stree, which became a defining role for Rajkummar Rao.
As Stree 2 continues its impressive run, Rajkummar Rao expressed his joy over the film’s success during an interview with News18. “We were sure that the film would get a lot of love because of the love that Stree 1 got. There’s a big fan-following for Stree, including me. I am a huge fan of Stree myself. But these numbers are way above our expectations. We are glad and super elated. There’s a lot of gratitude that this is happening with a film like Stree because it is a content-driven film,” he said, emphasizing the surprising reach of the sequel.
Stree 2 not only features standout performances from Rao and Kapoor but also includes a talented supporting cast with Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi. The film has achieved remarkable box office figures, crossing Rs 386 crore in India and surpassing Rs 500 crore globally within just 11 days of its release. Directed by Amar Kaushik, the sequel has clearly resonated with audiences, setting a high standard for content-driven cinema.
On a different trajectory, Vicky Kaushal is set to portray the legendary Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the upcoming film, Chhaava. The teaser for this film has already generated significant excitement, particularly as it was first presented to audiences before screenings of Stree 2. Scheduled for release on December 6, the film has generated buzz following the completion of its filming earlier this year and stars Rashmika Mandanna alongside Kaushal.
Directed by Laxman Utekar—known for his successful projects like Mimi (2021) and Luka Chuppi (2019)—Chhaava marks another collaboration between Kaushal and Utekar following the recent romantic-comedy hit Zara Hatke Zara Bachke (2023). The film also features notable actors such as Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, and Divya Dutta, with reports indicating that Neil Bhoopalam will play the role of a Mughal prince, adding another layer of intrigue to this anticipated production.
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www.news18.com