Aparshakti Khurana on Stree 2’s blockbuster success: Expect nahi kiya tha aisa hoga, amazing to see the love | Exclusive

Bollywood actor Aparshakti Khurana, who is back as Bittu in the hit horror comedy Stree 2, is on cloud nine. The actor is being loved as Bittu, and his comic scenes from the sequel are already going viral.

In a freewheeling chat with MoneyControl, Aparshakti couldn’t contain his happiness over the film’s super success and said that they had not expected such a response to the sequel.

Stree 2 is a sequel to the hit film Stree that was released in 2018.

Fans fell in love with the characters of Bittu (Aparshakti Khurana) and Jana (Abhishek Banerjee), besides the lead cast of Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor.

When asked how it feels to be back as Bittu and getting all the love, Aparshakti said: “It's amazing to be back as Bittu, and it's even more amazing to see the love and acceptance we have gotten from the audience. I think, ye toh bahut kam dafa hota hai ki aapne itni humble beginnings ki hon film ko lekar aur ye cheezein mil gayi hon US film ko. The first one (Stree) was made at a very, very, very small, simple budget. That also did well, but these are unprecedented numbers.”

When asked if they had anticipated such a humongous response to the film’s sequel, since there was tough competition at the box office from two big films—Khel Khel Mein and Vedaa—Aparshakti said, "Yeh, expect toh nahi kiya tha ki aisa hoga, but having said that, I think, the love and acceptance we got as Bittu and Jana in the first one only got multiplied. And I think some comedy scenes have become such hits that people come and have already started stopping me, you know, on the football field, airport, telling me about how they loved the lori (lullaby) scene ‘Warm Chitti’. People are asking to sing it for them. My school friend called me, and he also praised that scene of me singing the lullaby. Warm Chitti.”

Also Read: Stree 2 Review: Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao’s ghostbusters are back and how; a terrific franchise is born

Stree 3 will take some time 

Aparshakti spoke about their plans for Stree 3 and revealed that there is still time for the third installment, but ‘it won’t be a wait of six years for sure.’

“I think Stree 3 will take some time, and Dinesh Vijjan (the film's producer) himself said at the press launch that he has plans already for Stree 3. The structure for Stree 3 is already in place, and having said that, I think there is lots more in this particular world—to be made—then Stree 3 ki baari ayegi. I think it may be a couple of years. But it won't take six years, for sure. Six years wait nahi karayenge,” he said.

Stree 2 has grossed Rs 400 crore at the global box office within a week of its release.

Aparshakti made his film debut in 2016 with Aamir Khan’s Dangal and eventually got noticed for his comic timing in movies like Stree, Luka Chuppi, Badri Ki Dulhaniya.

In 2023, Aparshakti surprised everyone with his stellar performance in Vikramaditya Motwane's period drama series Jubilee. He played the role of superstar Madan Kumar in the hit series, which won him accolades from all quarters.

Not getting typecast 

Talking about his role of the very ambitious Madan Kumar in Jubilee, the actor said, “People keep waiting for their entire careers to get a film with Vikramaditya Motwane. I got it early in my career.”

When asked how he managed to break the mold of not getting typecast as a comedian, Aparshakti said, “He didn’t try too hard, and things fell in place for him.”

“I think by making the right choices at the right time and not overthinking and overdoing things. When you try too hard to do something, then things go wrong. I'll be honest, I was not really trying to prove a point to anyone; I was just taking one step at a time, and then touch word, the energies got together to make it happen. When you try to prove a point to someone, then it doesn’t work.”

Also Read: Stree 2 beats Prabhas' Kalki 2898 AD (Hindi), becomes third most profitable Hindi film of 2024

He says Jubilee changed things for him in a positive way.

“When I was doing back-to-back comedy, I enjoyed them too, and I never felt I was getting typecast. Because a person will get typecast when that person will not be able to land comedy. I think maybe people felt that Apar does only comedy, and that's what with Jubilee changed. And I'm very happy that it kind of changed at the right time with a very, very straightforward performance on the front foot,” he added.

“And, it's great that I was able to become a part of a show like Jubilee. I think people keep waiting for their entire career to get a film with Vikramaditya Motwane. Logon ka poora career nikal jata hai aisi koi special cheez karne ko milti nahi hai ki iss tareeke se the film industry began in our country. It's such a special story for an actor. It is a very special story for any actor to be a part of. And rather than thinking about the mindset change of people with my acting, I was more focused on what a film I have got; it is such a blessing as an actor. I had a great time shooting it, shooting for it, and really, really counting my blessings,” he further added.

The actor, who hails from Chandigarh, will be next seen in Berlin, where he plays the role of a sign language expert.