Maddock Films’ horror-comedy universe keeps getting bigger and stranger, and now veteran actor Nana Patekar has officially entered the chaos. The actor has joined the cast of Shakti Shalini, the upcoming mythological horror-drama directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, and his first appearance from the film’s shoot has already grabbed attention online. While the makers are still hiding major plot details, leaked pictures from the Mumbai set strongly hint that Nana could be playing a dark occultist or tantric figure in the film. The look itself feels eerie enough to spark curiosity even before the teaser arrives.
The film stars Aneet Padda in the lead role and is being treated as an important chapter inside Maddock’s expanding horror-comedy universe. Shooting is currently happening in Mumbai after the team previously completed a schedule in Madhya Pradesh earlier this year. According to reports, Nana recently joined the cast for an important stretch of filming, and his scenes are believed to be tied closely to the film’s supernatural mythology.
Nana Patekar’s Look Hints At A Dark Mythological Character
Photos from the set show Nana Patekar dressed in a black dhoti paired with an angavastram and a striking red turban. He was also seen wearing sacred threads and spiritual amulets while ash was smeared across his forehead, giving him the appearance of someone deeply connected to occult rituals or ancient spiritual practices. The styling immediately sparked theories among fans that his character may guide or manipulate the central supernatural conflict inside the story.
While the makers have not officially confirmed his role yet, the visuals already fit perfectly with the eerie supernatural tone Maddock Films has been building with movies like Stree, Bhediya, and Munjya. Unlike those films though, Shakti Shalini appears to lean more heavily into mythology and darker spiritual horror rather than pure comedy. That shift could make it one of the riskiest and most ambitious projects in the entire cinematic universe so far.
Aneet Padda’s casting has also become a major talking point. After the breakout success of Saiyaara, Maddock reportedly wanted a fresh face for the role instead of a more established actress. Director Amar Kaushik had earlier shared that both he and producer Dinesh Vijan were convinced about Aneet almost immediately after seeing her auditions and meeting her personally. The makers apparently wanted someone who could bring innocence and intensity together for the character.
The Film’s Story Rumors Are Already Creating Buzz
Even though the official plot remains secretive, reports surrounding the story are becoming wilder with every update. Rumors claim Aneet may be playing both Shakti and Shalini — one a protector inspired by Goddess Kali and the other a terrifying spirit seeking revenge. However, director Aditya Sarpotdar recently denied the double-role speculation during an interview. Still, insiders claim the supernatural conflict revolves around an evil Bengali spirit connected to trees and water bodies, creating a folklore-inspired horror setup unlike anything Maddock has explored before.
The cast reportedly also includes Vishal Jethwa and Viineet Kumar Singh, with Singh expected to play the antagonist. Fans are especially curious about how the film will connect with the larger Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, since Amar Kaushik previously called Shakti Shalini one of the most important chapters in the franchise’s future plans.
The movie was originally scheduled for a December 24, 2026 release, but recent industry chatter suggests the makers may shift it to early 2027 to avoid a box office clash with Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s King. Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but either way, Shakti Shalini is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched horror films coming from Bollywood’s expanding supernatural universe.
