The cinematic landscape is buzzing with speculation: Could Stree and Bhediya find love? Director Amar Kaushik, the man at the helm of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), has finally addressed the rumors, sending fans into a frenzy of anticipation.
The MHCU, spearheaded by Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films, has been steadily building a world where folklore-inspired creatures and quirky characters collide. The universe officially started with Stree (2018), and expanded with Bhediya (2022), Munjya (2024), Stree 2 (2024), and the soon to be released Thamma (Diwali 2025).
The question of a potential romance between Stree, played by Shraddha Kapoor, and Bhediya, portrayed by Varun Dhawan, arose after their sizzling chemistry in the song "Khoobsurat" from Stree 2. The song sparked fan theories about a possible love triangle involving Kriti Sanon's character from Bhediya.
In a recent interview, Amar Kaushik was asked about the possibility of a romantic storyline between Bhaskar (Bhediya) and Stree. Kaushik teased, "Varun's character says, 'wo bhi powerful, main bhi powerful,'" hinting at a potential connection. He added, "Ho bhi sakta hai, nahi bhi ho sakta hai," leaving the possibilities open.
While Kaushik remained ambiguous, his comments have only fueled the fire. Fans are excited about the idea of a supernatural romance, especially considering that Rajkummar Rao's character in Stree is human. The director's statement suggests that Bhediya's character, known to be quite the "dil ফেk" (one who easily throws away his heart), might have a hard time winning Stree over, as she is a mysterious character.
The director has discussed how the narrative for the universe evolves, and how the story for the next film is found while filming for another one. He also mentioned that the climax of Stree (2018) with the tying of the braid, wasn't pre-planned.
Adding to the excitement, Bhediya 2: The Beginning of End is slated to release on August 14, 2026. Varun Dhawan will reprise his role as Bhaskar, and the film is expected to pick up after the events of Stree 2, where Bhaskar regains his lost powers. According to reports, Bhediya 2 will explore a darker chapter, introducing a new enemy named Betaal, a vampire-like character. While Kriti Sanon's involvement is unconfirmed, fans hope she returns as Dr. Anika.
Meanwhile, Stree 3 is scheduled to release on August 13, 2027. Rajkummar Rao has confirmed that Amar Kaushik has already planned the plot and promised that it will outshine the first two films.
Audiences can expect a blend of scares, laughs, and fresh surprises. The MHCU is expanding with new films like Thamma, Shakti Shalini, and Chamunda. The narrative will culminate in Pehla Mahayudh (August 11, 2028) and Doosara Mahayudh (October 18, 2028), promising an epic saga uniting characters from previous films in a large-scale battle.
