Akshay Kumar is far from finished with the world of Stree, the hit horror-comedy franchise also starring Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor. The actor has confirmed he will reprise his role for Stree 3, with producer Dinesh Vijan humourously dubbing him the ‘Thanos’ of the Maddock Films horror-comedy universe.
The announcement came earlier this week as Maddock Films unveiled their exciting upcoming line-up, with Stree 3 slated for a theatrical release on 13 August 2027. The news was further confirmed during the trailer launch of Sky Force, where Akshay joked that his involvement with Dinesh Vijan marked his “dedh” (one-and-a-half) collaboration with the producer, as reported by News18.
During the Sky Force event, Akshay was asked whether he would continue to be a part of Vijan’s horror-comedy universe. In his characteristic light-hearted style, Akshay replied, “What can I say? Dinesh and Jyoti (Deshpande, producer) will have to decide that. They’re the ones to pump in the money.” However, he quickly dropped a significant hint about his future role, adding, “Aur Amar Kaushik ko direct karna hai (And Amar Kaushik has to direct it).” Kaushik, who directed the hit Stree 2, will also helm Stree 3.
Following Akshay’s statement, Vijan confirmed the news, joking, “Of course, he’s a part of the universe! He’s our Thanos (laughs).”
Akshay’s surprise cameo in Stree 2 was one of the standout highlights of the film, which became a major blockbuster in 2024. The actor portrayed the descendent of Chandra Bhan, the notorious, chauvinistic patriarch of Chanderi who once murdered Stree and her husband. His character, found in a mental asylum in Bhopal by Vicky (Rajkummar Rao) and the gang, was both bizarre and humorous.
In Stree 2, Akshay’s character, sporting a blonde wig, was introduced in a wheelchair, hilariously assuming the persona of Mughal emperor Shahjahan, and asking for updates on the Taj Mahal. He brought a light-hearted touch to his role, entertaining fans with his riddles and playful kisses as he helped the gang solve their problems. The film’s conclusion strongly hinted that Akshay’s character would play a much larger role in the next instalment, potentially becoming a supervillain in Stree 3.
With Stree 3 set to expand on this, Akshay’s return promises to add an extra layer of excitement to the franchise, further cementing his role as a key figure in the Stree universe.