Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao starrer 'Stree 2' has been making waves both in theatres and the box-office on the very first day of its release. While the film brings back all of its main characters including Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee and Aparshakti Khurrana, the film also introduces new characters along with cameos from characters in the horror comedy universe of Dinesh Vijan.
Akshay Kumar's cameo in 'Stree 2'
Stree 2 delivered a major surprise with a cameo from Akshay Kumar in the second half of the film. Known for his role in Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Akshay's appearance seemed to serve as a catalyst within the story. However, the post-credits scene hinted at a much larger role for him in Dinesh Vijan’s Horror-Comedy Universe, officially called the Maddock Supernatural Universe.
What is Akshay's role in Stree 2? (Spoilers Ahead)
In Stree 2, Akshay Kumar plays a patient in a psychiatric hospital in Bhopal, who holds the key to defeating Sarkata, the film's formidable villain. His character reveals to Rajkummar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, and Pankaj Tripathi that he is descended from this menacing antagonist, which explains his knowledge of the villain.
However, the post-credits scene suggests there’s more to Akshay’s cameo than initially apparent. The film sets him up as a potential new supervillain, poised for a grand return in a future installment of the Maddock Supernatural Universe. In the scene, Sarkata’s remains arrive at Akshay’s doorstep, and when he opens the package, they merge with his body—implying that he was Sarkata all along and hinting at a significant role in upcoming films. It remains unclear which film he will return in and what exactly his role will be.
Akshay Kumar in horror-comedies
This isn’t Akshay’s first foray into horror-comedy. He played a pivotal role in the 2007 hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa but did not return for the 2022 sequel, where Kartik Aaryan took the lead. In the meantime, he is making a strong return to comedy with Khel Khel Mein, which coincidentally released on the same day as Stree 2.
Akshay Kumar's work front
Khel Khel Mein, starring Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Ammy Virk, Vaani Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Pragya Jaiswal, and Aditya Seal, marks Akshay’s return to comedy after a lengthy hiatus. The film is a remake of the Italian movie Perfetti Sconosciuti (Perfect Strangers). Akshay also has other comedy projects in the works, including Welcome to the Jungle and Jolly LLB 3.
Both Stree 2 and Khel Khel Mein have received positive reviews from critics.