Stree 3 to Release in 2028, Dinesh Vijan Shares Update on Vicky Kaushal’s Mahavatar

The Stree franchise is set to return with a third instalment, with producer Dinesh Vijan confirming that Stree 3 will release in 2028. The upcoming horror-comedy will once again be directed by Amar Kaushik, who has been closely associated with the franchise since its beginning.

The update was shared by Dinesh Vijan during a FICCI Frames panel discussion attended by actor Rajkummar Rao and moderated by author-journalist Anupama Chopra. The discussion focused on the success of the Stree universe and the future of the franchise.

According to Vijan, Amar Kaushik has completed the script for Stree 3. While the exact release date has not been finalised, the producer indicated that the film could arrive around Independence Day or Christmas in 2028.

“Stree 3 arrives in 2028,” Vijan said while discussing the future of the franchise. He also suggested that the story would retain the elements audiences have enjoyed in the earlier films while taking the narrative in a new direction.

The Stree franchise began with the 2018 film Stree, which featured Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor in leading roles. The film combined horror and comedy and became a major success. Its sequel, Stree 2, further expanded the universe and brought back several characters from the original film.

With Stree 3 now confirmed, expectations are building around the next chapter of the horror-comedy universe. Vijan has indicated that the new film will contain familiar elements while also introducing a fresh storyline.

Alongside the Stree 3 announcement, Dinesh Vijan also provided an update on Mahavatar, another ambitious project from Maddock Films. The film will feature Vicky Kaushal in the role of Bhagwan Parshuram.

Vijan revealed that Amar Kaushik will direct Mahavatar, which he described as one of the filmmaker’s most ambitious projects. According to the producer, shooting for the film is scheduled to begin around the end of January and continue until June.

After completing Mahavatar, the team is expected to move forward with Stree 3. Vijan indicated that the third instalment of Stree could go on floors towards the end of the following year.

Mahavatar is expected to explore the story of Bhagwan Parshuram, with Vicky Kaushal taking on the central role. The project represents a major expansion in scale for the filmmaker and producer, moving beyond the horror-comedy format associated with Stree.

Rajkummar Rao also reflected on his experience working on the Stree films. He recalled that the first movie was made as a relatively small-budget independent project, with the team placing strong faith in its story and Amar Kaushik’s direction.

According to Rao, the atmosphere on the sets played an important role in the final result. He said the camaraderie among the actors and filmmaker helped create the energy that audiences eventually saw on screen.

Rao also recalled Amar Kaushik’s reaction when the first Stree began performing strongly at the box office. The actor said the director was initially surprised by the film’s success. By the time Stree 2 arrived, however, Kaushik had gained experience through films such as Bala and Bhediya and was more confident about the franchise’s potential.

The latest announcement gives audiences two major projects to look forward to from the Maddock Films universe. While Stree 3 is scheduled for 2028, Mahavatar is expected to begin production earlier, with Vicky Kaushal leading the cast as Bhagwan Parshuram.

Further details about the cast, exact release dates and storyline of Stree 3 are expected to be announced by the filmmakers at a later stage.