Did Saiyaara Star Aneet Padda Replace Kiara Advani in Maddock’s Shakti Shalini? Makers Put Rumors to Rest

The buzz around Saiyaara star Aneet Padda’s next big move has been heating up since her breakthrough performance made her an overnight sensation. Recently, speculation surged that she might be leading the next installment in Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe (MHCU), titled Shakti Shalini. This led to fans eagerly debating whether Aneet had replaced Kiara Advani, who had earlier been linked to the project.

However, Maddock Films officially addressed the rumors on Friday via Instagram, putting all speculation to rest. The studio posted a clear message:

"While we love the excitement around our horror-comedy universe, any reports about casting for Shakti Shalini, Maha Munjya, or future chapters are purely speculative. Please wait for our official announcements."

Insiders reveal that Aneet Padda has indeed been in talks for over two months, with director-producer Dinesh Vijan impressed by her performance in Saiyaara and interested in bringing fresh energy into the MHCU. Kiara Advani was also spotted at the Maddock offices earlier this year, but no formal agreement has been confirmed.

For context, the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe began with the blockbuster Stree (2018) and continued to grow with Bhediya (2022) and the record-breaking Stree 2, which grossed Rs 857.15 crore worldwide. The upcoming film Thama is slated for release this Diwali, featuring a star-studded cast including Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Paresh Rawal.

Until Maddock Films releases official casting announcements, fans are encouraged to hold their excitement and stay tuned for updates.