Mumbai: Riding high on the massive success and sudden popularity following her debut film, ‘Saiyaara‘, actress Aneet Padda has secured a major role, being finalized as the lead in Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) next installment, ‘Shakti Shalini’.
Teaser Launched with ‘Thamma’
The highly-anticipated casting was officially unveiled through a special teaser attached to the theatrical release of Maddock’s latest horror-comedy, ‘Thamma‘. It came as a huge surprise to cinema-goers when the explosive announcement teaser for ‘Shakti Shalini’ was showcased, which immediately went viral on social media. The teaser introduced Aneet Padda with the powerful tagline, “The Protector. The Destroyer. The Mother of All,” hinting at the epic scale of the character. The film is slated for a Christmas release on December 24, 2026.
Replaced Kiara Advani in the Lead Role
According to media reports, Aneet Padda has replaced actress Kiara Advani in this significant role. It was initially reported that Kiara Advani was the original choice for ‘Shakti Shalini’, but she later stepped away from the project, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts or changes in the character’s arc in the final script.
‘Saiyaara’ Success Propelled Her Casting
Aneet Padda’s inclusion in ‘Shakti Shalini’ is widely seen as a direct result of the blockbuster success of her 2025 debut, ‘Saiyaara’. Her performance and striking screen presence were highly praised by both the audience and critics. Maddock Films reportedly saw her rising stardom and strong connection with the audience as the perfect fit for the titular role in ‘Shakti Shalini’, which is a pivotal title in the horror-comedy franchise that includes hits like ‘Stree’, ‘Bhediya’ and ‘Munjya’.
‘Shakti Shalini’ is expected to be a female-centric film that will take the MHCU storyline to a new, powerful, and possibly mythological level. Aneet Padda’s entry into the universe marks a major career progression, and fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing her take on this challenging new role.
Also Read | Aneet Padda Joins Dinesh Vijan’s Expanding Horror-Comedy Universe with Shakti Shalini
