Amar Kaushik, known for directing films like Stree and Bhediya, is also credited with creating the Maddock supernatural universe in Bollywood. Recently he explained how this cinematic universe was created and discussed its challenges. Amar also mentioned how the interconnected stories required seamless planning, making it feel like working on multiple projects at once.
Amar Kaushik sat down for an exclusive chat with Pinkvilla and discussed how the Maddock supernatural universe was created. He revealed that it all started when they were working on Varun Dhawan-led Bhediya and said, “What is happening right now is the story that we are doing, Bhediya, Ya Stree 2 happening ya Munjya happening Thi, while doing it we know that something is going to happen” (When we were working on Bhediya, Stree 2 or Munjya we knew that something was going to happen.)
Watch the full interview here:
He said that he did not plan to connect the films or the characters after receiving the script; Rather, it goes together where they feel a particular story should be explored or a villain should be continued.
Amar gave the example of Munjya and shared that he had earlier planned to cast a young child as the lead character. However, they soon changed plans and decided to use CGI, the biggest challenge.
He explained, “We were going to cast a boy, a little kid for Munjya. Then I said, let’s make him CG because we will use him in the next film.” (We were going to cast a boy, a small child, for Munjya. But then I said let’s make it CGI because we will use it for further films.)
The filmmaker shared that when creating a cinematic universe, it’s important to think about the larger scope of each film. He admitted, “You are being made, pictures are being made, suddenly you feel that you are not making a film, you are a part of 5-6 films.” (You are making it, everyone makes a film, but then you realize you are not making a film, you are a part of 5 to 6 films.)
Kaushik recalled that he was initially excited when Dinesh Vijan, the producer of these films, told him that he was considering a possible interconnected universe with these films. He revealed that he used to read Nagraj comics in his childhood and was amazed by their level of interconnectedness.
Later, when he was making Bhediya, he wanted to bring Abhishek Banerjee’s character into Bhediya and he recalled his role in Stree, saying, “Then I clicked in my mind, what if that character was picked up?” Bring in the wolf? Things have changed since then.” ” (Then this thought stuck in my mind. What if I bring that character here? From then on, things changed.)
The director mentioned that collaboration with his team is important, and they share ideas. At the same time, Munjya’s director, Aditya Sarpotdar, who was also present in the interview, spoke and said that they all have similar preferences in cinema and share interesting fan theory videos.
After the success of Stree 2, the Maddock supernatural universe is moving forward, and Wolves 2 could be on the cards soon.
Also read: Exclusive: Stree 2 director Amar Kaushik wants to direct Shah Rukh Khan in a Badshah-like spoof film; Want to make it with Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone