According to Niren Bhatt, we “live in Sarkata’s world”. The writer of Stree 2 is not far from the truth. Through its villain Sarkata that attacked progressive women, Stree 2 depicted the ugly face of patriarchy and championed women’s empowerment. The horror comedy’s runaway success unfolds at a time when the Hema Committee Report and the RG Kar rape-murder case have reiterated the lack of women’s safety in India. Bhatt acknowledges the irony, and hopes the franchise will further the conversation on female agency. “By itself, a film can never change society. Movies further conversations. The movement in Malayalam cinema is mirrored in a big-screen experience [through films on patriarchy and gender issues]. This blend of reality and fiction sparks conversation and spreads awareness,” says the writer. 

Niren Bhatt