On January 2, 2025, Maddock Pictures dropped some exciting news for fans of their Horror Comedy Universe, claiming their upcoming slate is on the same level as the Marvel and DC franchises. They announced some big titles like Stree 3, Bhediya 2, Maha Munjya, Thama, and more. However, the real buzz is around two brand-new projects we hadn’t heard about before: Shakti Shalini and Chamunda. Fans are super curious about these films and who will star in them. It looks like there’s some progress on Shakti Shalini, with reports hinting that Kiara Advani might take the lead role. Plus, they’ve picked a director, and it’s a pretty bold and unique choice for the series.

Is Kiara Advani joining the cast of Shakti Shalini?

Last year, there were whispers about Kiara Advani possibly joining a Maddock film with Dinesh Vijan. The buzz suggested that this project could kick off a franchise, expanding beyond just one movie. It seems they were mainly talking about Shakti Shalini, and now it looks like Kiara is officially set to take on the lead role. That's definitely an intriguing pick! But what's even more fascinating is who's directing it. Keep reading for more details.

For Shakti Shalini, as reported by Peeping Moon, Dinesh Vijan has opted for a fresh face behind the camera instead of his usual go-to directors. Kiara Advani will star in the film, which will be helmed by Ajitpal Singh. He's gained a lot of recognition for his SonyLIV series Tabbar, often hailed as one of the top shows in Indian streaming. Singh also directed the acclaimed short film Rammat-Gammat, which snagged an award at the Oberhausen International Short Film Festival in 2018. Plus, his film Fire in the Mountains made waves at the Sundance Film Festival in 2021.

Shakti Shalini Overview

The filmmaker from Punjab is set to bring a fresh vibe to this universe, being a new addition to the director lineup. It's still unclear if Ajitpal Singh will also take on the scriptwriting duties. On the bright side, reports confirm that Kiara Advani will star as the lead character, with the story drawing inspiration from Indian folklore but presenting a new twist. Filming is scheduled to start around April-May 2025, with a release date aimed for December 31, 2025.

Shakti Shalini will be the fifth standalone film in this universe, following Stree, Bhediya, Munjya, and Thama. The saga will keep rolling with Bhediya 2, Chamunda, Stree 3, and Maha Munjya, all building up to an epic two-part finale, Pehla Mahayudh and Doosara Mahayudh, set for 2028. Meanwhile, Kiara Advani is also lined up for Game Changer, along with War 2 and Toxic in her upcoming projects. 

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