According to Variety India, Viineet Kumar Singh has been cast as the lead antagonist in Shakti Shalini, as part of Maddock Films’ burgeoning horror-comedy franchise. The film is the sixth episode in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), which includes titles like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, Stree 2, and Thamma.
The forthcoming film, directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, who previously directed Munjya and Thamma, is set to move the franchise forward in a darker tone. While exact story elements have not been publicly revealed, sources indicate that Viineet’s role would be portrayed as a “dark and gritty” force, posing a significant challenge to the film’s principal protagonist.
Aneet Padda has been cast in the lead role, making her debut in the Maddock universe. The casting comes following her recent rise to prominence for her role in Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara (2025). Her character, Shakti Shalini, was originally introduced to audiences in a post-credits scene of Thamma’s Diwali release last year, where she was referred to as “The Protector, The Destroyer, and The Mother of All.”
Vishal Jethwa will also play a prominent role in the film, reuniting with Aneet Padda after their work on Salaam Venky (2022). Their pairing is supposed to add to the emotional storyline in the film’s otherworldly atmosphere.
Viineet Kumar Singh, who has had a busy year with films including Chhaava and Jaat, has allegedly begun shooting Shakti Shalini in Mumbai. The actor is likely to take a short vacation to finish his Dahaad Season 2 commitments before returning to Madhya Pradesh in May to begin work on the next phase.
Shakti Shalini was originally scheduled to be released in theaters on December 24, 2026, but the release date is now being speculated. With Shah Rukh Khan’s King likewise aiming for the Christmas season, industry reports claim that the producers may consider moving the release date to early 2027.
