Mumbai: Aneet Padda and Vishal Jethwa, two of the most promising young actors in Bollywood today, are all set to reunite on screen in the upcoming horror comedy Shakti Shalini. The movie belongs to the growing Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), which has found its own niche in the Hindi film industry through its blend of humour, folklore and supernatural thrills. The announcement already has caused a lot of buzz particularly since the movie is in project to commence in March 2026.
This marks another collaboration for Aneet and Vishal after their earlier work together in Salaam Venky (2022), where their performances received praise for emotional depth and authenticity. The combination of them then transpired in Saiyaara and this was instrumental in giving Aneet an exposure to mainstream cinema. Their virtual compatibility has since drawn notice and viewers are now willing to watch them share space again, only now in an entirely new genre.
Vishal Jethwa to Play Aneet Padda’s Romantic Interest
According to a report by India Today, Vishal Jethwa will be seen playing Aneet Padda’s romantic partner in Shakti Shalini. It will start shooting the film in March and hopes to be released towards the end of 2026. The combination is likely to introduce a new pulse to the horror comedy genre, with a combination of romance, humour, and supernatural.
Vishal has been steadily building an impressive career, with his recent performance in Homebound earning widespread critical acclaim. The film was also in the news as it was made India’s official submission to the Oscars in the category of Best International Feature Film but got shortlisted and was unsuccessful in securing nominations. This brought Vishal to the limelight and made him one of the hottest actors in his generation.
Part of Maddock’s Expanding Horror Comedy Universe
Shakti Shalini first came into the spotlight through an end-credits announcement in the film Thamma, hinting at the next chapter in Maddock’s ambitious horror comedy slate. The next project replaces the existing one in the same genre universe, and it should be the same successful formula of blending humor with creepy plotlines, but with new characters and stories.
The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe has steadily grown in popularity, drawing audiences with its engaging stories and memorable characters. The makers want to contribute to this world and introduce another entertaining chapter to the franchise with Shakti Shalini.
As both Aneet Padda and Vishal Jethwa continue to explore diverse roles, their reunion in Shakti Shalini is being seen as one of the most exciting casting updates of the year. The movie is already becoming a big draw in the 2026 release schedule, as filming is scheduled to start very soon with anticipations that it is going to be a huge hit.
