Bollywood is buzzing with excitement as Shraddha Kapoor’s horror-comedy Stree 2 has created history by becoming the first Hindi-language film to cross the 600-crore mark at the box office. Directed by Amar Kaushik, this sequel to the 2018 hit Stree has shattered all previous records, achieving a milestone that has been 16 years in the making.
A Long Journey from 100 Crore to 600 Crore
Bollywood’s journey to this remarkable milestone began in 2008, when Aamir Khan’s Ghajini became the first film to enter the 100 crore club. At that time, this was an extraordinary achievement, and it set a new benchmark for success in the Hindi film industry. Soon after, box office records became a way to measure a film’s success, and the “crore clubs” started gaining more attention.
Aamir Khan, known for pushing boundaries in Bollywood, was instrumental in raising the bar. Just a year after Ghajini, he broke his own record with 3 Idiots (2009), which crossed 200 crores and created a new milestone. His dominance continued with PK (2014), which became the first Hindi film to enter the 300 crore club.
The Big Breakthrough: Baahubali 2
The Bollywood box office saw a major shift in 2017 with the release of SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. Though originally shot in Telugu and Tamil, the Hindi dubbed version of the film took the box office by storm. It first crossed the 400 crore mark and then smashed through the 500 crore barrier, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of its time, with earnings of 510.99 crores.
Baahubali 2 not only set a new benchmark for the Hindi film industry but also raised expectations for future films, pushing filmmakers to aim for higher box office collections.
The Race to 600 Crores
Since Baahubali 2, many films have come close to the 600 crore mark, but none managed to break through. Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan (2023) and Jawan (2023) performed impressively, earning 524.53 crores and 582.31 crores, respectively. Sunny Deol’s Gadar 2 (2023) also came close with 525.7 crores, but none could cross the coveted 600 crore line.
Stree 2: A Game-Changer for Hindi Cinema
The Stree franchise, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao, has always had a special place in Bollywood, blending horror with comedy in a way that resonates with audiences. The first film, Stree (2018), was a sleeper hit, earning praise for its fresh concept and engaging performances.
With Stree 2, the excitement only grew. The sequel’s unique mix of humor, horror, and suspense captured the imagination of moviegoers. The film’s star-studded cast, including Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee, delivered powerful performances that drew people to the theaters in large numbers.
In just six weeks, Stree 2 earned 598.90 crores, and by Sunday, the film officially became the first Hindi-language film to enter the 600 crore club. This historic achievement has solidified Stree 2’s place in Bollywood history and raised the bar for future releases.
A New Chapter in Bollywood’s Box Office
The journey from 100 crores to 600 crores took Bollywood 16 years, and Stree 2’s success marks the beginning of a new era. Filmmakers now have their sights set on even bigger goals, and with the ever-growing popularity of Indian cinema worldwide, the possibilities are endless.
From Aamir Khan’s Ghajini starting the 100 crore trend to Stree 2 becoming the first Hindi film to cross 600 crores, Bollywood’s box office journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
