Stree 2 writer criticizes patriarchal themes in Sarkata, labels ghosts in Maddock Supernatural Universe as societal fallacies
Stree 2, featuring Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Aparshakti Khurana, is currently making waves at the box office. A major factor contributing to its success is the introduction of the new villain, Sarkata. In a recent interview, the writer of Stree 2 discussed how these fantastical characters in Dinesh Vijan’s horror-comedy universe represent various aspects of society, with Sarkata being portrayed as the most extreme form of patriarchy.
In a conversation with PTI, Bhatt addressed the common criticism that their films either have too much humor or not enough horror. He emphasized that all the ghosts in Maddock’s Supernatural Universe are reflections of societal issues.
He went on to explain, “Sarkata symbolizes the most distorted form of patriarchy. Stree is the embodiment of matriarchy, not a witch. Bhediya is portrayed as the guardian of the forests. These characters have been crafted in a specific manner to convey deeper meanings. We are not delving into mystical or supernatural elements.”
In another interview with Bollywood Hungama, Niren discussed the creation of Sarkata’s character. He revealed that the concept originated from the ruined idols in the cave from the first film, where murals depicted Stree with a lover during her time as a sex worker. The lover was depicted without a head, leaving uncertainty whether the head was missing due to damage to the idol or for other reasons. Bhatt and his team decided to create a monster with a missing head based on this imagery.
Bhatt clarified that Sarkata couldn’t be Stree’s lover as he had already been killed. Instead, he conceived the idea that Sarkata was the one who killed both Stree and her lover, making him a symbol of patriarchy.
Stree 2 is the fifth installment in the Maddock Supernatural Universe, released in theaters on August 15, 2024. After the success of the second installment, rumors have surfaced about a third film in the horror-comedy series. However, there has been no official confirmation from the creators at this time.
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