The upcoming film Shakti Shalini from the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) has been grabbing headlines ever since it was teased in the end credits of Thamma. What started as a whisper about the film’s casting quickly turned into one of the most talked-about Bollywood rumours of the month — that Aneet Padda, fresh off the success of Saiyaara, had replaced Kiara Advani as the lead in the highly anticipated supernatural comedy.
However, the franchise’s creative head and Stree director Amar Kaushik has now addressed the buzz and cleared the air once and for all.
In a recent interview with Filmygyan, Amar Kaushik was asked about the speculation that Saiyaara’s breakout star Aneet Padda had replaced Kiara Advani in Shakti Shalini after the former’s massive success. Responding to the rumours, Amar said,
“Kiara is a beautiful actor. Nothing was confirmed, so I don’t know how it came out. I have always wanted to work with Kiara. When you write a story, you have an idea, and as you develop it further, you realise who is fit for which character. When Saiyaara came out, we were still in the process of writing Shakti Shalini.”
The filmmaker also clarified that no actor had been officially finalised at the time the rumours began. He added,
“Nobody was locked. There was nothing like it. We were just thinking who would fit. Sometimes, even we don’t know the full story, but someone leaks something.”
His statement puts to rest weeks of speculation that Aneet Padda was brought on board only after her newfound fame, replacing Kiara Advani in the process.
The rumours gained traction after the end-credits scene of Thamma officially announced Shakti Shalini as the next installment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. The reveal confirmed that Aneet Padda would indeed play the titular role, fueling talk about a last-minute casting change.
While little is known about the plot, Shakti Shalini is expected to follow the quirky blend of horror, comedy, and folklore that has defined the MHCU’s previous hits, including Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya. Amar Kaushik is reportedly involved in the writing and creative development of the project, ensuring continuity within the universe.
Meanwhile, the MHCU continues to dominate at the box office. Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna, recently crossed ₹180 crore worldwide, taking the shared universe’s total collection beyond ₹1500 crore. The franchise — which began with Stree and expanded through Bhediya and Munjya — has cemented its position as one of India’s most successful cinematic universes.
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