Maddock Films’ upcoming horror-comedy Shakti Shalini is reportedly facing fresh production delays. The film, which stars Aneet Padda, is said to be undergoing major script revisions.
Originally, Shakti Shalini was expected to go on floors in late January 2026, targeting a December 24 release the same year. However, insider reports suggest the project has now been postponed by a few weeks due to ongoing script tweaks.
Alongside the script changes, reports claim that lead actor Lakshya has exited the film. There has been no official confirmation regarding this development so far.
Since its announcement, the film has seen several casting and script changes. The first major shift occurred when Kiara Advani exited the project during its early stages due to her pregnancy.
Following Kiara Advani’s exit, director Amar Kaushik recast the role after auditioning multiple actresses. Aneet Padda was finalised as the lead after impressing the makers with her performance.
Fresh off her Saiyaara success, Aneet reportedly fit the character perfectly. She was locked in as the lead actress nearly a year ago, raising expectations among fans.
However, this is not the first delay the film has faced. Earlier reports from Peeping Moon indicated further postponements in 2025 due to additional casting issues, pushing the release to late 2026.
Trade analysts and social media users have noted that extended delays could lead to a box-office clash. Big releases like Sidharth Anand’s King or Avengers: Doomsday could force further changes if timelines slip.
Despite these setbacks, excitement remains strong among fans of the Maddock Horror Universe. Audiences are eager to see Aneet Padda return to the big screen in a new avatar.
Maddock Films has not officially commented on the latest reports. However, other industry buzz suggests the delays are aimed at strengthening the story to match MHCU successes like Stree and Bhediya.
