It’s extremely difficult to deliver both a satisfying horror film and a thoroughly enjoyable comedy as two standalone projects, since a faulty execution can easily turn them into cheap, B-C grade kind of ventures focusing on the wrong elements. However, it becomes even more difficult when you decide to make a horror-comedy amalgamating the two genres, promising an unusual kind of entertainment to the dedicated fans.
Similar attempts have certainly been there in the recent past of Hindi cinema as BHOOL BHULAIYA, BHOOTHNATH (series), GO GOA GONE, GANG OF GHOSTS, GOLMAAL AGAIN, NANU KI JAANU and even BHOOT BANGLA back in the 60s. Still the emphasis in all these films was either on the comedy or the drama with horror taking a back seat missing the dark, scary moments. And that’s exactly where STREE scores the most beautifully mixing the two elements together in the right measure resulting in a thoroughly entertaining film.
So in case you wish to enjoy some sudden frightening shocks presented along a novel horror concept then the film thankfully has it all and in a good measure. But in case you wish to laugh out loud along the shivering protagonists on screen, then STREE is a triumph in that specific department, offering a lot of witty entertainment with many well written horror sequences full of hilarious one-liners.
In other words, a film works when both its writer and the director are in sync with each other, very well knowing what they wish to offer to their target audience. And STREE is a perfect example of the same for most of its duration, except an avoidable, forced climax.
It’s a winner from debutant director Amar Kaushik without any doubt, but even he seems to have bowed down to the same old commercial aspects or producers instructions hampering his own film, incorporating an unimpressive or rather clichéd climax hinting towards a sequel as usual. So in all probabilities we are sure to get STREE 2 or STREE RETURNS in the next year or so after the present film's sucess at the box office.
Stating the merits, what truly works in the film experimenting with a dicey genre is its novel scary premise based on a folklore (found in more than one states in India). In Delhi too around two decades back a myth was spread of an ‘Evil spirit’ attacking houses that didn’t have two small hands painted on their doors. I still remember people panting small hands in front of their homes responding to the strange rumor. And it was not the era of whats app or social networking giving you the real picture.
Further, the more important elements that thoroughly keep you engrossed are its witty writing (Raj Nidimoru, Krishna DK, Pawan Sony), cracking dialogues (Sumit Aroraa), engaging execution (Amar Kaushik) and praise-worthy performances especially of Rajkumar Rao and Pankaj Tripathi together bringing the house down at regular intervals. Rao once again shines in a different kind of role displaying his amazing versatility and Tripathi continues with his superb form and timing becoming the major highlight of the film right till the very end. Abhishek Banerjee, Aparshakti Khurana (friends) and Atul Srivastava (father) add their own witty charm contirbuting in the supporting cast. Especially watch out for the father-son discussion over sex, brilliantly written, directed and performed by the splendid team. Nora Fatehi yet again sizzles in her dance movements; Vijay Raaz entertains in his one-scene cameo, whereas Shraddha Kapoor is just fine without having much to do in the script playing a suspicious character.
A horror film also works when its build-up is conceived well with an apt cinematography and chilling background score, which again are among the key merits of STREE creating a perfect mood for the audience from the beginning itself. Plus it’s both interesting as well as encouraging to see a woman out on a hunt at night and men hiding in their houses for a change, giving a strong social message.
As downers, STREE loses its energy in the second half and doesn’t have any exciting or justifying climax ending on a confused note (just to ensure a sequel ahead). The secret behind the STREE or the mystery doesn’t come up with anything highly unpredictable or shocking, seriously hampering its horror quotient. The humour actually saves the film in these particular weak moments leaving you with fewer complaints and the songs again are entertaining but not memorable following the sad trend of our present times.
On the whole, STREE still turns out to a highly entertaining film which successfully manages to maintain a fine balance between horror and comedy like rarely seen before in this particular genre. So do go for it and have a great time with Rao-Tripathi and friends finding the secret behind the scary STREE taking away the men leaving their clothes behind.
Rating : 3.5 / 5
