Director Raaj Shaandilyaa issued an apology to the makers of Stree for the “unauthorized use of character and dialogue” from the franchise without their approval in his film Vicky Vidya ka Woh Wala Video, starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri.

In a statement issued on social media, Raaj said, “I, Raaj Shaandilyaa, the director of the film Vicky Vidya ka Woh Wala Video, on behalf of myself and on behalf of Super Cassettes Ind. Pvt. Ltd., Balaji Motion Pictures and Wakaoo Films, the producers of the film, extend our sincere and unconditional apology for the unauthorized use of character and dialogue from Maddock Films’ franchise Stree in our film.”

Shaandilyaa also stated that he regrets any harm caused to the makers of Stree. He added, “We deeply regret any harm caused to Maddock Films and their franchise as a result of this infringement. We are taking immediate steps to rectify the issue and are in the process of removing all infringing content from our film.”

The director continued, “It will be our endeavour to complete this process by Tuesday. We also commit to ensuring that no such unauthorized usage will occur in the future. We further confirm that our film Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video is in no way associated with Maddock Films, their Stree and Stree 2 franchises, or any of the characters therein. Additionally, we make no claim to any intellectual property rights in Stree, Stree 2, or any related characters.”

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Director Raaj Shaandilyaa, who has helmed the Rajkummar Rao-Tripti Dimri-starrer, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, has issued an apology to the makers of the Stree franchise for adding references from it in his movie without their approval.

He also clarified that the film is not connected to the Stree universe. Prior to Shaandilyaa’s apology, social media users had already pointed out references to the horror franchise in the new release. Controversy started over a scene in Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, where Stree, the ghost character from the Maddock Supernatural Universe makes an appearance.

Shaandilyaa, took to X, with a post that read: “I, Raaj Shaandilyaa, the director of the film Vicky Vidya ka Woh Wala Video, on behalf of myself and on behalf of Super Cassettes Ind. Pvt. Ltd., Balaji Motion Pictures and Wakaoo Films, the producers of the film, extend our sincere and unconditional apology for the unauthorized use of character and dialogue from Maddock Films’ franchise Stree in our film. We deeply regret any harm caused to Maddock Films and their franchise as a result of this infringement.”

He added, “We are taking immediate steps to rectify the issue and are in the process of removing all infringing content from our film wherein we have used character and dialogue from Maddock Films’ Stree at the earliest. It will be our endeavour to complete this process by Tuesday, 15th October 2024, to the full satisfaction of Maddock Films. We also commit to ensuring that no such unauthorized usage will occur in the future.”

On his film not being associated with the Stree franchise, he wrote: “Additionally, we make no claim to any intellectual property rights in Stree, Stree 2, or any related characters.”