Chanderi’s Kati Ghati gained notable recognition in Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao’s Stree 2 franchise, but did you know it has a spine-chilling history? Read on to find out more.
Trigger Warning: This article contains references to suicide.
Amar Kaushik’s Stree franchise has been primarily shot in Chanderi, with its sequel recently released. One significant scene, where Shraddha Kapoor bids farewell to Rajkummar Rao, features a remarkable structure in the background. Today, we’re bringing you the true story behind this location. The place in question is known as Kati Ghati, a gateway to Chanderi located in Madhya Pradesh’s Ashoknagar district.
This massive gate has been carved out of a colossal, live rock of a hill, standing 10 meters high and 25 meters wide. According to Swatijain.com, inscriptions in Devanagari and Naskh scripts on this gate reveal that Jiman Khan commissioned Kati Ghati in 1480 CE, the son of Sher Khan, then-governor of Chanderi.
Legend has it that the Sultan of Malwa, Ghiyasuddin Khilji, announced a sudden visit to Chanderi, creating an urgent need for a grand gateway. Jiman Khan had just one night to have this gate built in time for Khilji’s arrival and offered a handsome reward to anyone who could accomplish the task. Out of 100 masons, only one accepted the challenge and, astonishingly, completed the work, leaving Khan both stunned and amazed.
However, Jiman Khan, intent on withholding the reward from the mason, criticized the gateway for lacking a door, claiming it could compromise the security of the Sultan of Malwa. Devastated by the prospect of not being rewarded for his remarkable effort, the mason tragically died by suicide on the spot. The grave located next to the gate marks the very place where he fell after taking his own life.
Today, his sacrifice has turned Kati Ghati into Chanderi’s most prominent tourist attraction, though it remains a somber reminder of a story without a happy ending. An alternative account of Kati Ghati suggests that the hill was obstructing Babur’s army from entering Chanderi, prompting him to order the hill to be cut through, creating the gateway. However, this version of the story is rarely found in historical records.
How much did Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, and more charge for this blockbuster?
According to the report, Shraddha charged Rs 5 crores for this installment – the second highest paycheck after Rajkummar Rao who earned Rs 6 crores for his role as Vicky. Season star Pankaj Tripathi on the other hand reportedly charged Rs 3 crores followed by Aparshakti Khurana who took home around Rs 70 lakhs. Abhishek Banerjee who played Jana in Stree 2 charged close to Rs 55 lakh.
The report also suggested that just for doing a cameo as Bhediya in this Amar Kaushik directorial, Varun Dhawan was paid a whopping Rs 2 crores. Other estimates published are either the same or really close to the numbers stated. The latest box-office report by Pinkvilla suggests, “The film is the first blockbuster of 2024. With a clean run and strong word of mouth, the film is looking to enter the Rs 400 crore club in Hindi by the end of its run.”
Produced by Maddock Films and Jio Studios, our early estimates hint that Stree 2 might end up being the biggest success story in the post-pandemic world. This horror comedy also stars Atul Srivastava, Mushtaq Khan, Sunita Rajwar, and Anya Singh in key roles with a few more special appearances by Tamannaah Bhatia and Akshay Kumar.
Stree 2 is currently playing in theaters near you.
Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, or any other serious mental health issue, please seek immediate help from a doctor, mental health professional, or a local NGO. Numerous helplines are available for support.
