Shakti Shalini: Everything We Know About the Next Big Chapter in Maddock’s Horror Comedy Universe

As audiences rush to theatres this Diwali for Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna’s vampire spectacle Thamma, Maddock Films drops a surprise that has everyone buzzing — the official announcement teaser of Shakti Shalini, the next major installment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU).

This female-led supernatural thriller marks a major expansion of the universe Dinesh Vijan has been carefully building since Stree (2018), and now promises to introduce Bollywood’s first modern mythological superheroine.

The Thamma Connection: The Post-Credit Tease Everyone’s Talking About

Maddock Films has strategically attached the Shakti Shalini teaser with every screening of Thamma across India — a Marvel-style move that hints at a shared supernatural timeline.

Leaked reports describe a mysterious woman in a white lehenga walking through a fog-filled forest, illuminated by an eerie blue glow. Fans speculate this is Aneet Padda’s first look as Shakti Shalini, linking her directly to the vampire mythos introduced in Thamma.

Aneet Padda Steps Into the Spotlight

After months of casting rumours, it’s official: Aneet Padda will lead Shakti Shalini. The Saiyaara star has impressed both audiences and producers with her emotional depth and powerful screen presence.

Producer Dinesh Vijan reportedly handpicked Aneet for her “balance of innocence and intensity,” saying she “represents the new-age Indian heroine — graceful yet fierce.”

Aneet’s meteoric rise — from Salaam Venky to Big Girls Don’t Cry and the record-breaking Saiyaara (₹5.7 billion worldwide) — makes this a defining moment in her career.

Why Kiara Advani Stepped Away

Initially announced with Kiara Advani in early 2025, Shakti Shalini had to recast following Kiara’s maternity break after the birth of her daughter with Sidharth Malhotra in July.

Maddock clarified that Kiara “remains a valued part of the MHCU” and may return in future projects like Chamunda or Maha Munjya. Fans, however, continue to debate whether the character was rewritten for Aneet or expanded into a younger origin arc.

Randeep Hooda Joins the Universe

Adding serious star power, Randeep Hooda has joined the cast in a pivotal role. Known for his layered performances in Highway and Swatantra Veer Savarkar, Hooda said:

“Shakti Shalini is not just a story — it’s a mirror to society. It uses horror to explore what power and conscience mean in today’s India.”

Industry insiders describe his role as morally complex — possibly an antagonist or mentor figure to Shalini.

Ajitpal Singh Takes the Director’s Chair

Breaking tradition, Maddock has tapped Ajitpal Singh (Tabbar, Fire in the Mountains) to direct. Singh’s grounded realism and Punjabi sensibility suggest Shakti Shalini will be more emotional and character-driven than the earlier, quirkier MHCU entries.

With Durgesh Singh (Gullak) handling screenplay duties, expect an emotionally resonant yet spooky ride blending satire, mythology, and modern feminism.

Mythology Meets Modern Superhero Storytelling

The name Shakti Shalini fuses cosmic power (Shakti) with human grace (Shalini) — symbolizing the duality of womanhood.

If Stree was about fear and patriarchy, Shakti Shalini could become the voice of divine retribution — a cinematic invocation of Durga meets Wonder Woman. Early leaks suggest her powers stem from ancient Vedic energy, reawakened in a modern Indian woman fighting both inner demons and real-world corruption.

Production & Release Timeline

Originally planned for a December 2025 release, production delays have shifted filming to November 2025 – March 2026. Sources indicate a mid-2026 theatrical release, between Bhediya 2 and Chamunda.

This makes Shakti Shalini the fifth entry in Maddock’s shared horror universe, following Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, and Thamma.

Maddock’s Universe Plan: India’s Own Myth-Tech Multiverse

Producer Dinesh Vijan has confirmed a full-fledged universe roadmap through 2028:

• 2025: Thamma, Shakti Shalini (teaser)

• 2026: Bhediya 2, Chamunda

• 2027: Stree 3, Maha Munjya

• 2028: Pehla Mahayudh, Doosra Mahayudh

This cinematic multiverse will culminate in the “Mahayudh” duology — a grand supernatural war uniting all Maddock heroes and antiheroes.

Why Shakti Shalini Matters

• First female-led superhero film in Bollywood’s modern era

• Connects mythology with feminism and folklore with modern identity

• Expands Maddock’s brand into international territory

• Positions Aneet Padda as India’s next-gen leading woman
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Shakti Shalini about?

Shakti Shalini is a supernatural action drama set in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, exploring the rise of a female hero inspired by Indian goddess mythology.

2. Who is the lead actress in Shakti Shalini?

The film stars Aneet Padda, known for Saiyaara, in the titular role. She replaces Kiara Advani, who stepped away due to maternity leave.

3. When will Shakti Shalini release?

Filming begins in November 2025, with a theatrical release planned for mid-2026.

4. How does Shakti Shalini connect to Thamma?

The teaser attached to Thamma hints that Shalini’s origin ties into the same supernatural timeline, expanding the Maddock Horror Universe.

5. Who is directing Shakti Shalini?

The film is directed by Ajitpal Singh, acclaimed for Tabbar and Fire in the Mountains.