Stree 2: Sarkate Ka Aatank, directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Maddock Films and Jio Studios, has stunned audiences and trade experts alike by turning a modest ₹60 crore budget into a massive global box office haul of over ₹880 crore. The film, a sequel to the 2018 hit Stree, continues the story in the small town of Chanderi, introducing a new threat—Sarkata, a headless entity.
Despite being a horror-comedy, a genre considered niche in the Indian film market, Stree 2 managed to win hearts globally. Let’s take a deeper look into how the ₹60 crore budget was spent across various departments.
🧾 Detailed Budget Breakdown of Stree 2 (₹60 Crore)
Below is a table representing the percentage-based allocation and estimated cost (in INR) for each major aspect of production:
| Category | Percentage of Budget | Estimated Cost (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Production | 10% | ₹6 Crore |
| Film Making (Production) | 50% | ₹30 Crore |
| Post-Production | 15% | ₹9 Crore |
| Marketing & Promotion | 25% | ₹15 Crore |
| 🎬 Total Budget | 100% | ₹60 Crore |
🔍 In-Depth Cost Distribution & Estimates
1. Stree 2 Pre-Production Budget (₹6 Crore)
Pre-production includes script development, casting, location recce, storyboarding, costume planning, and scheduling. The story, written by Niren Bhatt, required detailing a supernatural folklore-based environment.
- Script and Writing Team: ₹1.2 Cr
- Casting & Talent Onboarding: ₹2 Cr
- Location Scouting & Permits: ₹1 Cr
- Production Design & Set Planning: ₹1.8 Cr
2. Film Stree 2 Making Budget (Production) – ₹30 Crore
This phase includes all the actual shooting-related expenses.
Estimated Cost Distribution:
| Production Sub-Category | Estimated Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| Cast Fees | ₹12 Cr |
| Camera Equipment | ₹2.5 Cr |
| Lighting Equipment | ₹2 Cr |
| Art Direction & Sets | ₹4 Cr |
| Makeup & Costumes | ₹1.5 Cr |
| Crew Salaries & Technicians | ₹3.5 Cr |
| Travel & Lodging | ₹2 Cr |
| Miscellaneous/Contingencies | ₹2.5 Cr |
🎭 Cast Remunerations (Approx.):
- Shraddha Kapoor: ₹4.5 Cr
- Rajkummar Rao: ₹3 Cr
- Pankaj Tripathi: ₹2 Cr
- Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana: ₹1.5 Cr combined
- Tamannaah & Varun Dhawan (Cameos): ₹1 Cr combined
3. Stree 2 Post-Production Budget– ₹9 Crore
This crucial phase involves editing, sound mixing, visual effects (VFX), background score, and more.
- Editing & DI (Digital Intermediate): ₹2.5 Cr
- Sound Design & Dubbing: ₹1.5 Cr
- VFX & CGI (Sarkata’s Headless Effects): ₹3.5 Cr
- Music Composition: ₹1.5 Cr
Note: Creating the haunting and humorous atmosphere of Chanderi again, with believable headless CGI, was a major post-production challenge.
4. Stree 2 Marketing, Release & Promotion Budget – ₹15 Crore
Marketing played a vital role in Stree 2’s global success. Despite lacking a traditional “superstar male lead”, the campaign built hype effectively.
- Digital Marketing & Social Media: ₹4 Cr
- Trailer Launch & Events: ₹2.5 Cr
- Media Buying (TV/Print/OTT Ads): ₹5 Cr
- City Tours, Interviews & Fan Engagements: ₹3.5 Cr
🌍 Why This Budget Worked Perfectly
Despite a relatively low budget, Stree 2 triumphed because of its:
- Smart Script: Balancing comedy and horror effectively.
- Strong Ensemble Cast: All proven performers with mass appeal.
- Production Efficiency: Many scenes were shot on real locations in small towns like Chanderi and Varanasi, reducing the need for expensive sets.
- Focused VFX: Used only where necessary, cutting down costs.
- Marketing Precision: Promotions targeted youth and meme culture, driving massive organic reach.
🎥 Filming Locations
- Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh (Primary location – known for its haunted folklore).
- Mumbai (Studio Shoots)
- Varanasi (Temple Scenes)
These authentic locations reduced production costs while adding realism to the film’s eerie atmosphere.
Stree 2: Sarkate Ka Aatank proves that good storytelling, careful budgeting, and strategic marketing can make even a ₹60 crore film compete with ₹200 crore blockbusters. From casting and equipment to marketing and VFX, every rupee was spent judiciously. Its roaring ₹880 crore global collection shows how horror-comedy has emerged as a bankable genre in Indian cinema.