Director Amar Kaushik, who is currently developing Maddock Films’ next horror comedy, Shakti Shalini, has finally addressed the growing speculation around the film’s casting. For weeks, reports had suggested that Kiara Advani was originally approached for the project but was later replaced by Saiyaara breakout star Aneet Padda.
Now, Kaushik has set the record straight.
Amar Kaushik Clears the Air on Casting Rumours
Speaking with Filmygyan, Kaushik — the filmmaker who kickstarted the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) with Stree — clarified that Kiara Advani was never officially attached to the project.
“Kiara is a wonderful actor, but nothing was confirmed,” Kaushik said. “I don’t know how that came out. I’ve always wanted to work with her, but when we were writing Shakti Shalini, we were still developing the characters. At that time, Saiyaara had just released, and we were figuring out who fit where.”
When asked directly if Kiara was ever finalized for the film, he added,
“Nobody was locked. We were exploring who could suit the role. Sometimes even we don’t know the full story, but someone leaks something — and it turns into news.”
‘Shakti Shalini’: The Next Chapter in the MHCU
The first official tease for Shakti Shalini appeared during the post-credit scene of Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna. The clip confirmed that Aneet Padda would lead the upcoming film — sparking immediate buzz across social media.
While the plot is still being kept under wraps, Kaushik confirmed he is actively involved in writing the script, ensuring it stays true to the tone and interconnected world of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe.
The Expanding Maddock Horror Comedy Universe
What started with Stree in 2018 has evolved into one of Bollywood’s most successful cinematic universes. The MHCU now includes hits like Bhediya, Munjya, and the recently released Thamma, which alone has grossed over ₹180 crore worldwide. Collectively, the franchise has crossed ₹1500 crore at the global box office — a rare feat for any Indian film series.
With Shakti Shalini, Maddock Films aims to continue that winning streak, introducing a new female-led story that ties into the supernatural yet humorous world fans have grown to love.
Final Words
While rumours around Shakti Shalini’s casting may have created confusion, Amar Kaushik’s clarification has put the record straight — Kiara Advani was never part of the film, and Aneet Padda’s casting was always part of the creative evolution.
With Kaushik back at the helm and Maddock Films expanding its horror-comedy universe, Shakti Shalini is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Bollywood releases in the coming year.
