Aneet Padda is heading into a defining new phase, and Shakti Shalini is shaping up as one of the boldest bets on her slate. Backed by Maddock Films, the horror drama has entered the last leg of its shoot, pushing the project closer to completion as the studio lines it up for a January 2027 release. At the centre of that momentum is Padda’s striking dual turn as a goddess and a demoness, a role that instantly gives the film a powerful visual and dramatic identity.
The current outdoor schedule is expected to continue through May, with the team aiming to wrap principal photography by the end of the month before shifting focus to post-production and VFX work. The makers are in no hurry to lock the release date yet. A source close to the film says, “The idea is to finish the film properly and then spend enough time on the VFX. If everything goes as planned, they’re looking at a January 2027 release.”
That casting idea also explains why the film has generated early curiosity. Padda arrives here after a breakout year, and Shakti Shalini places her in a far more stylised, performance-heavy space. Rather than leaning on familiar horror beats, the film is already presenting itself as a female-led supernatural story with myth, fear, and transformation built into its core.
Shakti Shalini Moves Into Its Final Shooting Stretch
The latest confirmed development is that Shakti Shalini has entered its final shooting schedule, a clear sign that principal photography is nearing wrap. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under the Maddock Films banner, the film adds another title to the banner’s growing supernatural line-up.
Since Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War is scheduled to release on January 21, the source says, “The makers are tentatively looking at the first half of the month. [But the final] call will be taken post the release of Cocktail 2 from the same stable.”
Shakti Shalini marks a reunion for Aneet Padda and Vishal Jethwa, who previously shared the screen in the film, Salaam Venky (2022).
With the production now in its closing stage, attention naturally shifts to how Maddock positions the film within its genre slate, especially as the studio continues to build a recognizable space for horror stories with a strong mainstream pull.
Mythic Horror At The Centre Of Maddock’S New Film
What gives Shakti Shalini its edge is the way it blends a mythic register with horror storytelling. The title itself carries a sense of power and mysticism, and the creative setup suggests a film built around supernatural conflict, dark forces, and a commanding female protagonist. That combination gives the project a distinct place in the current Hindi film landscape, where star-led horror dramas have become an increasingly active space.
The confirmed creative team strengthens that promise. Sarpotdar has already worked in the horror space, while Maddock Films has steadily expanded its footprint in the genre. Together, that makes Shakti Shalini feel less like a one-off experiment and more like a carefully mounted addition to a larger storytelling lane.
Aneet Padda’S Recent And Upcoming Work
Padda was last seen in Saiyaara in 2025, the Mohit Suri-directed romantic drama produced by Yash Raj Films, where she starred opposite Ahaan Panday. The film became a major commercial success and marked a significant leap in her visibility. Before that, she played Roohi in the 2024 series Big Girls Don’t Cry and had appeared in Salaam Venky in 2022.
Looking ahead, Shakti Shalini is her key confirmed upcoming theatrical release. Coming after the strong response to Saiyaara, it signals a deliberate shift toward a more ambitious big-screen image, with Padda fronting a genre film that demands scale, presence, and a sharply defined screen persona.
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