Filmmaker Amar Kaushik has finally revealed why rising star Aneet Padda was chosen to headline Shakti Shalini, the latest installment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe — and her selection has everything to do with freshness, energy, and a perfect fit for the film’s tone.
Earlier this week, fans were sent into a frenzy when the teaser of Shakti Shalini was unexpectedly dropped in theatres alongside the Diwali release of Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
The teaser confirmed swirling rumors that Aneet Padda would replace Kiara Advani as the female lead, officially positioning her as the new face of the supernatural franchise.
The clip ends with a striking line flashing across the screen:
“The protector. The destroyer. The mother of all. Aneet Padda in Shakti Shalini.”
Why Aneet Padda Was Cast
Speaking with Bollywood Hungama, Amar Kaushik explained the thought process behind casting Aneet, who made her debut opposite Ahaan Panday in Saiyaara.
“When we were writing the script, we realized we needed a younger actor,” Kaushik revealed. “Meanwhile, we saw her film Saiyaara and realized she perfectly suited the part. She heard the story, connected with it instantly, and came on board.”
Amar, who directed Stree (2018) and Stree 2 (2024), confirmed that Shakti Shalini will begin shooting in January 2026, expanding Maddock Films’ ambitious supernatural comedy universe.
What’s Next for the Maddock Horror Universe
With Thamma now in theatres and Shakti Shalini officially announced, fans can expect interconnected stories that blend humor, folklore, and supernatural drama — a formula that has made Amar Kaushik and Dinesh Vijan’s horror-comedy universe one of Bollywood’s most successful cinematic experiments.
Aneet Padda’s casting as Shakti Shalini signals a new chapter for the franchise, with expectations running high for her performance and on-screen transformation into the franchise’s most powerful female protagonist yet.
