Mahavatar with Vicky Kaushal to shoot in 2027; Stree 3 slated for 2028 release

During the second day of FICCI Frames 2026, Rajkummar Rao and producer Dinesh Vijan were seen promoting their upcoming film Prahaar. While discussing the success of the horror‑comedy franchise, they revealed that the next chapter, Mahavatar, starring Vicky Kaushal, will begin shooting in January 2027. The project is set to be directed by Amar Kaushik, who has been the creative force behind the original Stree (2018) and its sequel Stree 2 (2024).

Rao recalled how the first film started as a low‑budget venture but grew into a hit, earning between ₹70 and ₹75 crore. He shared a humorous anecdote about Kaushik’s nervousness during the film’s early success, and how the director’s confidence helped the team keep the momentum. The sequel, which crossed the ₹500 crore mark, further cemented Kaushik’s reputation, and Rao noted that the director’s subsequent works, such as Bala (2019) and Bhediya (2022), solidified his standing in the industry.

Vijan outlined the production schedule for the franchise: Mahavatar will run from January to June 2027, after which filming for Stree 3 will begin later that year and wrap up by the end of 2027. The third installment is slated for a theatrical release in 2028, with the team hinting at a possible Independence Day or Christmas release window. Vijan emphasized that the film will surprise audiences, promising that “everything you have loved about it, you'll get,” while teasing a “complete revelation” in the plot’s beginning and ending.

The cast for Stree 3 includes Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee, with Akshay Kumar expected to play a key role. Vicky Kaushal will lead Mahavatar, which tells the story of Bhagwan Parshuram. The projects are being produced by Maddock Films, with Amar Kaushik directing and Dinesh Vijan overseeing production.

These announcements come as the franchise’s popularity continues to grow, and fans are already speculating about the direction of the horror‑comedy universe. With a solid track record and a star‑studded lineup, Mahavatar and Stree 3 promise to keep audiences entertained in the coming years.