Aneet Padda, who gained fame with the hit song “Saiyaara,” has stepped in to fill the role originally intended for Kiara Advani in the upcoming film “Shakti Shalini.” This exciting news comes shortly after we reported that the announcement video for “Shakti Shalini” will be shown alongside the much-anticipated Diwali release, “Thamma.” We can now confirm that “Shakti Shalini” is set to hit theaters on December 24, 2026.
Similar to “Thamma,” “Shakti Shalini” is part of the popular Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. This franchise began with the well-received film “Stree” in 2018, followed by “Bhediya” in 2022. The series continued with “Munjya,” which became a surprise hit. The second installment of “Stree” was even recognized as the highest-grossing Bollywood film to date. Now, “Thamma” will be the fifth addition to this universe.
Initially, when Kiara Advani was attached to the project, “Shakti Shalini” was scheduled for a December 31, 2025 release. However, with Aneet Padda now leading the film in 2026, fans can look forward to three films from the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe next year: “Shakti Shalini,” “Chamunda,” and “Bhediya 2.” The third part of “Stree” will follow in 2027, while 2028 is set to conclude the saga with three new thrilling films: “Maha Munjya,” “Pehla Mahayudh,” and “Doosara Mahayudh.”
Many beloved stars are part of this exciting universe, including Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Varun Dhawan, and Akshay Kumar. As the series continues to grow, more well-known actors are expected to join the cast.
The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe is shaping up to be India’s version of a connected cinematic saga, like Marvel. “Shakti Shalini” promises to be a significant chapter in this expansive story, introducing new characters and plots, setting the stage for an epic crossover event that fans have eagerly been waiting for.
