Filmmaker Amar Kaushik has put an end to the rumours surrounding the casting of Shakti Shalini, Maddock Films’ upcoming horror comedy from the popular MHCU franchise.
In a recent interview with Filmygyan, the director clarified that Kiara Advani was never approached or finalised for the project, despite strong speculation after Saiyaara’s success.
“Kiara is a beautiful actor. Nothing was confirmed, so I don’t know how it came out,” Amar Kaushik said, stressing that casting decisions change as the script develops.
He explained that casting naturally evolves during the writing phase. “When you write a story, you have an idea. As you shape it, you realise who truly fits each character,” he noted.
Kaushik also addressed how early leaks often mislead audiences, revealing incomplete information long before anything is officially confirmed.
Earlier, the post-credits scene in Thamma sparked speculation that Aneet Padda might lead Shakti Shalini, fuelling rumours of a possible Kiara-Padda swap. However, Kaushik dismissed all such reports, confirming that the film is still in its writing stage and no cast has been locked.
Shakti Shalini belongs to Maddock’s growing Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), which started with Stree and expanded through Bhediya and Thamma. The franchise has earned over ₹1500 crores globally, with Thamma making a significant contribution.
As development continues, fans and industry watchers are eager to see how Shakti Shalini will integrate into the MHCU storyline. Amar Kaushik’s cautious stance on casting reflects the discipline required to protect story integrity within a connected cinematic universe.
