Entertainment

Aneet Padda to begin Shakti Shalini shoot soon after final-year exams in December and January

Saiyaara star Aneet Padda, who is regarded as the biggest Gen Z face of our country after delivering the all-time highest-grossing love story in the history of Indian cinema, is set to give her college final year exams in December and January! A source informs, “It is incredible that Aneet Padda is so young, and she has become such a massive success story in our country. The Gen Z face of India is set to give her college final year exams in December and January before she starts shooting for her next, Dinesh Vijan’s Shakti Shalini, a film that she is headlining.”The informer adds, “Aneet is currently studying for her final-year examinations. She is pursuing a B. A. (Hons.) in Political Science and is neck deep balancing work and studies. Her schedule is being managed perfectly so that she can give ample time to her studies while finishing what is absolutely priority at the work front.”Saiyaara marked Aneet’s big-screen debut as the YRF heroine. The film, which also starred Ahaan Panday in the lead, made history with its box-office success, emerging as the biggest launchpad for any newcomer since Kaho Na Pyaar Hai which released 25 years ago! Such was the impact of Aneet’s performance that she was handpicked by Dinesh Vijan for his blockbuster Maddock Horror Comedy Universe’s (MHCU) project, Shakti Shalini. Aneet is the youngest actor ever to headline a franchise in Indian cinema, having signed the film when she was just 22. Shakti Shalini is scheduled to release on December 24, 2026, which has again made Aneet go down in history books as the youngest actor ever to have a Holiday release that only sees the biggest superstars of our country arrive in cinemas! Also Read: Amar Kaushik clarifies rumours about Aneet Padda replacing Kiara Advani in Maddock’s next horror comedy Shakti Shalini.

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EXCLUSIVE: Vicky Kaushal-starrer Mahavatar to go on floors in mid-2026; Amar Kaushik shares EXCITING details: “The prep is going on for 6-7 months. Mujhe toh soch ke hi darr lag raha hai”

Before the audience sat down to watch the grand Diwali release, Thamma, they were treated to a 60-second-long announcement promo for Shakti Shalini. The teaser confirmed that Aneet Padda would play the lead and also that it would be out on December 24, 2026. This was the date that was earlier booked for Mahavatar, starring Vicky Kaushal, directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Maddock Films. Maddock is also the producer of Thamma with Amar serving as one of its producers and mentors. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Amar opened up on Mahavatar and why it is his most ambitious film to date. When asked if Mahavatar has been postponed, Amar Kaushik replied, “Yes. The prep is going on for 6-7 months. Mujhe toh soch ke hi darr lag raha hai. We have worked on the set design, weapon design, how every character would look, etc. The scripting is done. Yet, we need more time. Vicky will finish his other commitments and after that, he’ll also start his preparation. Hence, we hope to go on floors by mid-next year.”Amar Kaushaik continued, “For me, it is a huge passion project. When I was in school in Arunachal Pradesh, there used to be a Parshuram Kund close by. I used to ask my mother who Parshuram was but I was told not to talk much about it. I was only told that he was quite hot-tempered. Hence, I was quite fascinated by the character. When I read about it later in life, I was wowed and kept wondering, ‘Will I ever be able to make a film on this subject?’. Now, I have reached a stage where I have an understanding and experience of using VFX. That gave me the confidence to pull it off.”The timing is apt as Amar has just delivered Stree 2 (2024), the highest Bollywood grosser of all time. Did that also give confidence to Dinesh Vijan to entrust such a big responsibility to Amar Kaushik? Amar answered, “Yes, that always happens. If you haven’t proved yourself, why would anyone entrust you with such responsibility? Agar aapke bade sapne hai, toh chhote sapne toh poore karo pehle (smiles). In fact, I wouldn’t have taken up the film earlier in my career. Mujhe toh abhi bhi darr lag raha hai!”Also Read: BREAKING! Vicky Kaushal to play Chiranjeevi Parashurama in Amar Kaushik’s Mahavatar, first look posters out; film to hit cinemas on Christmas 2026.