Maddock Films has mapped out its upcoming production calendar. Speaking at the FICCI Frames 2026 conference, producer Dinesh Vijan and actor Rajkummar Rao shared a major stree 3 release date 2028 update, confirming that the third chapter of the hit horror comedy franchise will arrive in theatres in 2028, aiming for a holiday launch around Independence Day or Christmas.
The schedule shift allows director Amar Kaushik to first film Mahavatar, a mythological epic starring Vicky Kaushal as Bhagwan Parshuram. Kaushik will start shooting Mahavatar in January 2027 before turning his focus to Stree 3 in late 2027. Fans following the stree 3 release date 2028 update were assured by Vijan that Kaushik has already finished writing the script for Stree 3, which takes the story in surprising new directions.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Primary Franchise | Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (Stree 3) |
| Producer / Studio | Dinesh Vijan (Maddock Films) |
| Director | Amar Kaushik |
| Stree 3 Lead Cast | Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee |
| Interconnected Project | Mahavatar (Mythological Epic starring Vicky Kaushal as Bhagwan Parshuram) |
| Script Status | Stree 3 Script Fully Completed by Amar Kaushik |
| Mahavatar Filming Window | January 2027 – Late 2027 |
| Stree 3 Production Start | Late 2027 (On Floors Following Mahavatar Wrap) |
| Target Release Window | Independence Day 2028 or Christmas 2028 |
Sequential Shooting Roadmap: Why Stree 3 Moves to 2028
Spacing out Stree 3 until 2028 comes down to Maddock Films’ production lineup. Director Amar Kaushik is set to helm two consecutive big budget films, requiring a clear timeline to balance production demands and visual effects work.
Reporting in Bollywood Hungama’s breakdown of the Mahavatar and Stree 3 schedule and Sacnilk’s report on Stree 3’s 2028 release timeline details the stree 3 release date 2028 update, confirming that Kaushik will focus on filming Mahavatar through the first half of 2027. Once principal photography finishes in late 2027, he will move straight into production on Stree 3. This schedule gives both projects the attention their production scales require.
Vicky Kaushal’s 18 Month Transformation for Bhagwan Parshuram in Mahavatar
A key part of the timeline involves Vicky Kaushal’s commitment to Mahavatar. The actor is setting aside 18 months exclusively for the role, taking on no other acting projects during this window to focus fully on his physical and mental preparation.
Coverage in The Times of India’s feature on Vicky Kaushal’s 18 month commitment to Mahavatar notes that Kaushal will start physical conditioning in mid 2026 after wrapping Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War. As part of the broader stree 3 release date 2028 update context, this preparation ensures the team can move swiftly into production when cameras roll in January 2027.
Script Finalized: Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao Prepare for Unpredictable Twists
Though filming for Stree 3 begins in late 2027, its narrative structure is already set. Producer Dinesh Vijan confirmed that Amar Kaushik has completed the script, introducing new story twists to expand the franchise.
As highlighted in The Economic Times report on Dinesh Vijan’s Stree 3 confirmation and Bollywood Hungama’s interview with Amar Kaushik on building Maddock’s mythology, key cast members Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee are set to return. The third film will follow plot threads left open in Stree 2, tying closer into connected films like Bhediya and Munjya as outlined in the Wikipedia entry for the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe.
Holiday Release Window: Eyeing Independence Day or Christmas 2028
With principal photography set for late 2027, Maddock Films is positioning Stree 3 for a major holiday debut in 2028. The studio is considering either the Independence Day weekend in August or a Christmas release in December.
Maddock Films previously saw strong box office performance with Stree 2 during the Independence Day frame. Locking in this stree 3 release date 2028 update early allows ample time for visual effects work, sound design, and international distribution plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official stree 3 release date 2028 update?
Producer Dinesh Vijan confirmed that Stree 3 is targeted for a 2028 theatrical release, looking at holiday windows like Independence Day or Christmas 2028.
Why is Stree 3 releasing in 2028 instead of earlier?
Director Amar Kaushik is helming Vicky Kaushal’s mythological film Mahavatar starting in January 2027. As shared in the stree 3 release date 2028 update, filming for Stree 3 begins in late 2027 after Mahavatar wraps.
Is the script for Stree 3 already completed?
Yes, as part of the stree 3 release date 2028 update, Dinesh Vijan confirmed that director Amar Kaushik has already finalized the script for Stree 3, complete with new plot twists.
What is Vicky Kaushal’s upcoming film Mahavatar about?
Mahavatar is a mythological epic directed by Amar Kaushik, starring Vicky Kaushal as Bhagwan Parshuram.
Which cast members are returning for Stree 3?
Core cast members Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee will return.
References
- Bollywood Hungama: BREAKING: Shoot of Vicky Kaushal’s Mahavatar to commence in January 2027; Stree 3 goes on floors in 2027-end; horror comedy expected to release on Independence Day or Christmas 2028
- The Economic Times: Stree 3 release date confirmed: When will Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao’s hit horror-comedy return to theatres? Dinesh Vijan reveals
- Sacnilk: Stree 3 Eyes 2028 Release as Amar Kaushik Begins Vicky Kaushal’s Mahavatar in January 2027
- The Times of India: Vicky Kaushal to dedicate 18 months to Amar Kaushik’s ‘Mahavatar’ after ‘Love & War’, shoot to begin from January 2027
- Bollywood Hungama: EXCLUSIVE: Amar Kaushik reveals secrets behind Maddock’s horror universe; says, “We’re crafting our own comics and mythology”
- Wikipedia: Maddock Horror Comedy Universe Overview
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