Shakti Shalini: Aneet Padda To Replace Kiara Advani In Maddock Horror Comedy?

The Saiyaara actor is reportedly set to join a major franchise, taking over a role initially meant for a superstar, leaving fans divided over the surprising casting.

September 19, 2025: Aneet Padda, a rising star who recently made a successful debut in Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara, is said to be the star of Maddock Films’ next horror-comedy, Shakti Shalini. This news comes out that the actress will take over the major role from Bollywood diva Kiara Advani.

A source close to Maddock Films, the production company, said that director Dinesh Vijan liked Padda’s work in Saiyaara and wanted to bring new life to his horror-comedy universe. The movie, which will be released in theaters on December 31, 2025, stars women and is slated to start filming by the end of 2025. Also, others are saying that Aditya Sarpotdar, who helmed the recent hit Munjya, is being looked at to direct the project.

The announcement has caused a lot of talk on social media, with fans and industry experts split on the choice. Aneet Padda’s quick ascension in the business has many people applauding. One fan pointed out that she had success just a few months after her first performance. Some people, on the other hand, are not so sure. They say that Padda, being fresh, might not have the box office appeal to carry a big movie.

Kiara Advani has had a rough time at work lately, and now she’s busy with her new duty as a mother. Some reports say that her replacement may have something to do with the fact that her previous movies didn’t do well at the box office. Meanwhile, Padda is being promoted as the new face of Bollywood’s “Gen-Z” together with her Saiyaara co-star, Ahaan Panday.