October 21, 2025 – Fresh from the record-breaking success of her debut film Saiyaara, actress Aneet Padda is making a powerful move, confirmed to lead the next chapter of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, Shakti Shalini.
The Official Announcement
Aneet Padda has been officially confirmed as the lead in Maddock Films’ upcoming horror-comedy, Shakti Shalini. The film, which was initially slated for a 2025 release, is now scheduled for a December 24, 2026 debut, strategically aligning with the holiday season for maximum audience reach.
The confirmation came through a special video announcement that was attached to the theatrical print of Maddock’s latest release, Thamma, which hit theatres on October 21, 2025. This move successfully built anticipation, letting audiences in theaters be the first to know about the new project.
Along with the release date, the makers have also released Padda’s first look from the film, which has begun circulating on social media platforms.
Connecting the Dots: The ‘Thamma’ Teaser
Buzz around Padda’s involvement began even before the official announcement. A post-credit scene in Thamma featured a mysterious woman in a white lehenga floating mid-air in a dense forest, her back to the camera. While her face wasn’t visible, fans were quick to speculate that it was Aneet Padda, marking her grand entry into the popular horror-comedy franchise.
This speculation was further fueled by Ayushmann Khurrana, the star of Thamma, who teased in an interview, “Shakti Shalini ka look isme aane wala hai. Maddock universe expand ho raha hai” (The look of Shakti Shalini is coming in this film. The Maddock universe is expanding).
A New Universe for a Rising Star
This casting marks a significant career development for Aneet Padda. The actress, born in Amritsar in 2002, began her career with a brief role in the 2022 drama Salaam Venky. She later gained recognition for her lead role in the Amazon Prime Video series Big Girls Don’t Cry (2024) before achieving her breakthrough with the 2025 romantic drama Saiyaara. The film, produced by Yash Raj Films, was a major box office success, grossing over ₹5.7 billion and establishing Padda as a promising new talent.
Shakti Shalini will be her second feature film and represents a dramatic genre shift from the emotional depth of Saiyaara to a mystical, powerful role described as “the creator, the destroyer, and the mother of all”.
Industry sources suggest that producer Dinesh Vijan was impressed by Padda’s work in Saiyaara and saw her as the perfect fit to inject new energy into his successful horror-comedy universe. This universe already includes commercial hits like Stree, Roohi, Bhediya, Munjya, and the recently released Thamma.
About the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe
Maddock Films, founded by producer Dinesh Vijan, has carved a unique niche in Bollywood with its highly successful Horror Comedy Universe. The franchise, which began with the 2018 hit Stree, has been a commercial juggernaut, with its films having grossed a combined ₹1,186 crore against a combined budget of ₹235 crore.
Shakti Shalini will be the sixth official installment in this expanding cinematic universe. The film is poised to be a key part of the universe’s next phase, building on the interconnected world that fans have come to love.
Key Films in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe
| Film Title | Release Year | Key Cast |
|---|---|---|
| Stree | 2018 | Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao |
| Roohi | 2021 | Rajkummar Rao, Janhvi Kapoor |
| Bhediya | 2022 | Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon |
| Munjya | 2024 | Abhay Verma, Sharvari Wagh |
| Stree 2 | 2024 | Shraddha Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao |
| Thamma | 2025 | Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna |
| Shakti Shalini | 2026 (Dec) | Aneet Padda |
What’s Next for Aneet Padda?
While Shakti Shalini is now her most anticipated upcoming project, Padda has also completed work on the courtroom drama Nyaya, where she will star alongside Fatima Sana Shaikh, reuniting with Big Girls Don’t Cry director Nitya Mehra.
With the official announcement now public, the stage is set for Aneet Padda’s transformation from a beloved romantic drama lead to a mystical powerhouse in one of Bollywood’s most profitable franchises. All eyes are now on Maddock Films as they begin to unveil more details about Shakti Shalini in the lead-up to its Christmas 2026 release.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Aneet Padda?
Aneet Padda is an Indian actress who began her career with a small role in Salaam Venky (2022). She gained wider recognition for her lead role in the series Big Girls Don’t Cry (2024) and had her breakthrough starring opposite Ahaan Panday in the blockbuster romantic drama Saiyaara (2025).
2. What is the release date for ‘Shakti Shalini’?
Shakti Shalini is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 24, 2026.
3. What is the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe?
It is a series of interconnected Hindi horror-comedy films produced by Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films. The universe includes popular films like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, and Thamma, and has been a major commercial success for the studio.
4. How was Aneet Padda’s casting announced?
The casting was confirmed through a special announcement video that was attached to Maddock’s film Thamma, which released on October 21, 2025. Her involvement was also teased in a viral post-credit scene within Thamma.
5. Is ‘Shakti Shalini’ related to the post-credit scene in ‘Thamma’?
Yes, industry reports and fan speculation strongly suggest that a mysterious woman shown in a post-credit scene in Thamma is indeed Aneet Padda as her character, Shakti Shalini.
Follow for more updates on the expanding Maddock Horror Comedy Universe and Aneet Padda’s journey in Bollywood. What are you most excited to see in ‘Shakti Shalini’? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
