Latest news with #Stree
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
A battle of supernaturals: Kajol's Maa V/S Sonakshi Sinha's Nikita Roy
Bollywood's horror genre is experiencing a revival, highlighted by the June 27, 2025, clash between Kajol's 'Maa' and Sonakshi Sinha's 'Nikita Roy,' both women-led supernatural thrillers. This face-off reflects a growing trend of blending horror with comedy, folklore, and psychological elements, as seen in the success of films like 'Stree' and 'Shaitaan. On June 27, 2025, the Hindi box office is about to witness a fascinating face-off — one that's not between action heroes or romantic leads, but between two women-led supernatural films. Kajol 's Maa and Sonakshi Sinha 's Nikita Roy are both slated for release on the same day, marking a rare occasion when two horror thrillers with prominent female leads will go head-to-head. Exclusive | Kajol CANDID On Horror Fears and Son Yug's Voice Debut In 'Karate Kids: Legends' While the horror genre in Hindi cinema has traditionally been niche, surviving on loyal but limited audiences, the last few years have seen a gradual revival of interest in supernatural narratives. Thanks to films like Stree (2018), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022), and more recently Shaitaan (2024), the genre has been quietly reinventing itself, mixing horror with humor, folklore, or psychological thrill. This June's clash is not just a battle between two films, but a reflection of a growing trend in Bollywood's content landscape. The Contenders: Maa and Nikita Roy Kajol, who was last seen in the emotional drama Salaam Venky, returns to the big screen with Maa, a supernatural thriller produced by her husband Ajay Devgn 's banner. Directed by Vishal Furia, he film promises an unsettling blend of familial drama and supernatural horror. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Costco Shoppers Say This Wrinkle Cream Is "Actually Worth It" The Skincare Magazine Undo Kajol, known for her versatility, will be seen in a character grappling with the line between madness and possession. From Shreyas Iyer to Ibrahim Ali Khan: Nutritionist Nicole Kedia Breaks Down Celeb Diet SECRETS On the other hand, Nikita Roy directed by Kussh S Sinha, marks his feature directorial debut. The film stars Sonakshi Sinha in a role far removed from her earlier glamorous or action-oriented avatars. The narrative, interspersed with occult rituals and cryptic folklore, leans heavily into classic horror elements — creaking mansions, shadowy figures, and ancestral secrets. Both films are banking not only on their star power but on the promise of atmospheric horror that appeals to contemporary audiences who have begun to appreciate psychological and supernatural thrillers beyond jump scares. A Growing Appetite for the Supernatural This box office clash arrives at a time when Bollywood seems increasingly fascinated with horror and supernatural themes. The success of Abhay Verma and Sharvari led Munjya, a horror-comedy from the makers of Stree, reinforced the appetite for horror rooted in Indian mythology and folklore. Released last year, Munjya opened to solid numbers and positive word of mouth, proving that audiences are eager for stories that blend scares with cultural references. Moreover, the horror genre's viability was firmly reestablished with the blockbuster success of Shaitaan in 2024. Starring Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, and Jyotika, the film dealt with black magic and demonic possession and grossed over Rs 148 crore at the domestic box office. Its sequel, Shaitaan 2 is already in the works. In fact Ajay Devgn is also planning another horror film for his nephew Amaan Devgn who was launched this year with Azaad. Several more projects tapping into the supernatural are in the pipeline. Ayushmann Khurrana 's Thama, a horror thriller based on a legend, is slated for a Diwali 2025 release. Shraddha Kapoor , Rajukkmar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurrana and Pankaj Tripathi will return in Stree 2, one of the most anticipated horror-comedies of the year. What's Behind Bollywood's Horror Revival? The renewed interest in horror can be attributed to a few factors. Firstly, horror films have always offered producers a low-to-mid budget model with high returns. The genre's inherently immersive nature ensures a theatrical pull, as audiences still seek the collective experience of being scared in a dark cinema hall. Secondly, today's horror films are increasingly driven by narratives rooted in Indian settings, folklores, and superstitions. From the ghost of Stree to the demonic entity in Shaitaan, the genre is localizing its monsters, making them more relatable and hence more terrifying. Thirdly, filmmakers are blending horror with other genres — comedy, thriller, or emotional drama — broadening their appeal. Stree was as much a comedy as it was a horror film, while Shaitaan was a family drama interrupted by an unholy force. This fusion model allows horror films to tap into multiple audience segments. The Star Power Factor While the horror genre often leans on fresh faces or character actors, the current wave sees mainstream stars lending credibility to these films. Kajol, who seldom ventures into horror, choosing Maa suggests the genre's growing clout. Similarly, Sonakshi Sinha or Ajay Devgn or Shraddha Kapoor have also ventured into the space. Actors bring established fanbases and acting heft, which can help draw in audiences who might otherwise be hesitant about horror titles. The promotional material for both films has emphasized their strong performances and atmospheric storytelling, steering clear of campy horror tropes.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rachi Sharma takes inspiration from Shraddha Kapoor from Stree for her role in Aami Dakini
The much-anticipated show Aami Dakini is all set to keep viewers on the edge of their seats with its gripping story. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Kolkata, the show marks a return to spine-chilling storytelling for the channel after the iconic show, Aahat. The show features Hitesh Bharadwaj as Ayaan, Sheen Das as Dakini, and Ranchi Sharma as Meera. Meera stepping into the layered character of Meera, Ranchi Sharma reveals how she found inspiration in Shraddha Kapoor 's performance in Stree to shape her portrayal. She says, 'When I watched Shraddha in Stree, I was definitely captivated—there was a mystery to her, layered with a quiet emotional pull. That performance lingered with me. But when it came to Meera, while I could relate to the essence of that character, I knew the emotional landscape was different. Shraddha's expressions, her silences, her rhythm—they were inspiring, but Meera demanded a different kind of intensity. I drew from her restraint and calm, but I had to push in a direction that was bolder, rawer, and a bit more grounded in grief and strength. So yes, I referenced her, but only as a starting point. From there, I had to find Meera's unique emotional pitch.' Recently, in an exclusive chat with Times of India TV, Sheen Das, who plays a Dakini in the show, opened up about her role. She shared, 'I've never done something like this on TV before. It's my first time doing something like this for TV. The look is very bold, and it justifies the role. There's a lot of emotion that is driving the horror in the show. I saw a lot of horror movies. There's a certain way the character had to walk, talk, and do everything, so there's a lot of preparation that went behind not just the physical aspect but also the emotional. ' She further shared, 'There are two aspects of my role — one of a 100-year-old and another is of a girl who was a great musician. The show will portray that her love is timeless, and she is in love with her boyfriend. The character will wait for her boyfriend to be reincarnated so that she can finally reunite with him.' Director Amar Kaushik Reveals Why Shraddha Kapoor Was Cast in Stree
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Woman Climbs Balcony For Gardening. Internet Says ‘Stree Kuch Bhi Har Sakti Hai'
Last Updated: Standing at the edge with no balcony railings for support, the woman appeared unbothered by the risk of falling from the height. Be it a widespread lawn, a sunlit terrace area or simply a cosy balcony, those crazy about gardening will always find a spot to put some extra plants in every corner. But to what extent can someone go for their love for gardening? A viral video has left the Internet shocked over a woman's daring antics as she remains engrossed with her plans. Shared on the Instagram page of contentkikami, the video shows a middle-aged woman standing at the edge of her apartment's balcony, visibly busy with the plants. Standing at the edge with no balcony railings for support, the woman appeared unbothered by the risk of falling from the height. The video also pans to show the height of the building, suggesting that the apartment was on one of the top floors. Many took to the comments section to share reactions, with some even joking over the woman's adventurous gardening. A user joked, 'Flat No. 11A," in reference to the seat number of the sole survivor of the Ahmedabad plane crash. Another quoted a popular dialogue from Rajkummar Rao's Stree, 'Woh Stree hai. Kuch bhi kar sakti hai." A comment read, 'My stomach is churning by just looking at this clip," while another added, 'KHATRON KE KHILADI !!!!!… contestants practising be like." Amid the commentary from the users, a few claimed that the video was edited and the railings were removed. The incident is among the many balcony viral videos that surface online. Earlier, a video emerged from a residential colony of Greater Noida West, where a young man was seen sitting on the edge of the balcony on the 25th floor. With no railings, the man seemed unbothered as he kept his legs hanging in the open with no fear of falling down. नशे में मूड ऑफ हुआ तो एक शख्स 25वें माले के छज्जे पर बैठ गया। Video ग्रेटर नोएडा वेस्ट इलाके में हाईराइज सोसाइटी की है। — Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) June 3, 2025 As the video gained traction online, many viewers speculated whether the man was under the influence of alcohol. Concerned users flooded the comments, questioning his condition and asking if he was safely rescued. The footage also shows a crowd gathering at the scene, visibly alarmed by the man's dangerous antics. First Published:
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Manushi Chhillar reveals what went into making ‘Naamumkin' from ‘Maalik'
Rajkummar Rao will be seen romancing former Miss World Manushi Chillar for the first time in the highly-anticipated drama, 'Maalik'. While movie buffs have already been treated with the primary track from the drama 'Naamumkin', now Manushi has dropped a BTS video on her Instagram handle, revealing what all went behind making the romantic song. The clip opened with the team checking out the location, after which Rajkummar and Manushi filmed a couple of shots for the melodious track. We could also see the choreographers showing the steps to these two before they performed it on screen. As the video moved forward, the 'Stree' actor got the final touches to his makeup and hair, with Manushi also reapplying her lipstick. The director was also seen explaining something to Rajkummar and Manushi in between the shots. The leads had some fun behind the screen, like Rajkummar dancing funnily just before the shot and Manushi winking at the camera white getting her makeup fixed. 'Naamumkin' successfully captures the softer side of a ruthless gangster (Rajkummar) as he falls in love. Composer duo Sachin-Jigar has provided the tunes for the track, whereas the lyrics have been penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya. Varun Jain and Shreya Ghoshal have lent their powerful voices to 'Naamumkin'. Helmed by Pulkit, 'Maalik' will also have Prosenjit Chatterjee, Medha Shankr, Huma Qureshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Swanand Kirkire in pivotal roles, along with others. Backed by Kumar Taurani under the banner of Tips Films, along with Jay Shewakramani of Northern Lights Films, 'Maalik' is slated for a theatrical release on 11th July this year. Last week, Rajkummar and Tips Films took to Instagram, where they shared a poster featuring Manushi as a simpleton standing alongside the National Award-winning actor. Manushi is seen dressed in a soft pink traditional outfit smiling brightly at Rajkummar as the two are gazing into each other's eyes. The actioner, which was earlier scheduled to hit theatres on June 20, will now be released on July 11. In the film, which is currently in post-production, the actor will be seen playing a ruthless gangster. Manushi was last seen on screen in 2024 film 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Rajkummar's latest release is 'Bhool Chuk Maaf'. The film, which is directed by Karan Sharma, also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, Dhanashree Verma, Sanjay Mishra, and Raghubir Yadav. The film is about Ranjan, a starry-eyed romantic from Banaras who finally lands a government job and is ready to marry his childhood sweetheart, Titli. In all the rush towards his happily-ever-after, Ranjan forgets a sacred vow and fate refuses to let it slide. Indo-Asian News Service
Hans India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
The Raja Saab Teaser Out: Fans Compare Prabhas' Horror-Comedy to Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Chandramukhi
The Raja Saab teaser, starring Prabhas in a never-seen-before horror-comedy avatar, is finally out and it's already stirring up a storm across fan circles and film forums. Set in a mysterious horror villa with a good dose of humour and unexpected jump scares, the teaser offers a cocktail of thrills and laughs. Fans compare The Raja Saab to Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 & Chandramukhi While many fans were expecting a vibe similar to Stree, the teaser seems to channel more of the Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 energy- blending supernatural suspense with cheeky, light-hearted moments. And if that mix wasn't enough, the appearance of veteran actor Sanjay Dutt in a powerful avatar instantly elevates the intrigue. Joining Prabhas on this haunting journey is Malavika Mohanan, making her Telugu debut, along with Nidhhi Agerwal and Riddhi Kumar, who complete the lead cast. The chemistry, the comic timing, and the setup all hint at a film that doesn't take itself too seriously, in the best way possible. The teaser's background score by Thaman S fits the genre well, amplifying the eerie-comic blend. While comparisons are being drawn with Chandramukhi, the makers insist that The Raja Saab is both unique and fresh, aiming to offer something new to the horror-comedy space. Film Faced Drawback as Teaser leaked online However, before fans could officially watch the teaser, it suffered an unfortunate leak online. The production team has since issued a statement warning of strict legal action against those responsible. In a statement on the film's official X handle on Friday, they wrote, 'Strict action will be taken and handles will be suspended immediately if any leaked content from #TheRajaSaab is found. We request everyone to cooperate and stand with us in protecting the experience. Let's celebrate responsibly. Be aware.' Directed by Maruthi, the film comes with a massive budget and marks Prabhas' first foray into the horror genre, a bold move for the pan-India superstar known for his action and romantic blockbusters. With a release date set for December 5, the countdown has begun. But the big question remains- can Prabhas scare and charm audiences at the same time? Or will this haunted tale fizzle out? What are your thoughts on the teaser? Does The Raja Saab look like a blockbuster in the making or is it too early to tell?
