EXCLUSIVE: Shakti Shalini goes on floors in January 2026; Amar Kaushik explains how Aneet Padda came on board, “We saw Saiyaara and knew that she perfectly…”

Before the audience sat down to watch the grand Diwali release, Thamma, they were treated to a 60-second-long announcement promo for Shakti Shalini. The film earlier starred Kiara Advani and there were reports that Aneet Padda of Saiyaara (2025) fame has replaced the former. The announcement teaser confirmed the speculations and also revealed that the next film of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe will be out on December 24, 2026. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Amar Kaushik, the mentor of the universe and also the producer of Munjya (2024) and Thamma, opened up about this film. Earlier, the plan was to bring 2 more films of Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, namely Bhediya 2 and Chamunda, in cinemas in 2026. When asked if the plan remains or will Shakti Shalini be the sole release of the universe next year, Amar Kaushik said, “There might be just one film (from the universe in 2026). We feel that there should not be an overdose and we should not give too many films in...

With Kalki 2 casting uncertain, Nag Ashwin reopens talks with Sai Pallavi for his woman-led film: Report

Almost a year ago, reports suggested that Alia Bhatt was in advanced talks with Nag Ashwin for his yet-untitled, woman-centric action drama. However, eleven months is a long time in the film industry, and the project appears to be heading in a different direction. With Kalki 2 currently facing casting changes after Deepika Padukone’s dramatic exit, the filmmaker is said to be considering prioritising his female-led film before resuming the mythological sequel.

Fresh chatter from industry circles indicates that Sai Pallavi, often regarded as Ashwin’s original choice for the role, has re-entered discussions. A report by Mid-Day quoted a source saying, “Nag didn’t let go of the idea of the woman-led film. It was simmering on the backburner through most of 2025. With the recent developments in Kalki 2, bringing the other project forward is a possibility.”

The timing, however, remains tricky. Alia Bhatt has reportedly allocated bulk dates to Maddock Films’ Chamunda starting March 2026, narrowing the window for her to take on additional projects. Pallavi, on the other hand, is committed to Nitesh Tiwari’s two-part Ramayana. She is expected to complete work on the second instalment only by mid-2026, after which her schedule may open up. “If the dates align, she could step into Nag’s film before he moves to Kalki 2,” the source adds.

Both Ashwin and Pallavi have had a notable run in recent years. Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD, headlined by Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone, became one of the biggest spectacles of Indian cinema. Meanwhile, Pallavi has steadily built a pan-India fan base with acclaimed performances in Gargi, Shyam Singha Roy, and her ongoing role in the Ramayana franchise.

Also Read: “Never afraid to ruffle feathers”: Deepika Padukone talks about “walking a difficult path” as IMDb lists her in top spot amid Spirit, Kalki 2898 AD exit



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