Aneet Padda's Shakti Shalini Is 'Most Important' Story Of Horror Comedy Universe, Reveals Amar Kaushik - EXCLUSIVE

After

the massive success of Saiyaara, newcomer Aneet Padda has quickly become one of the most promising actors. Now, Stree director Amar Kaushik has revealed that her next film, Shakti Shalini, is not only a crucial part of the studio’s expanding horror-comedy universe but also its “most important” story yet. In an exclusive conversation with Zoom, Kaushik opened up about how Aneet landed the role, why her character stands out, and what makes her one of the industry’s brightest rising stars.

Amar Kaushik calls Shakti Shalini 'most important' story of Maddock universe

Amar Kaushik, known for shaping the highly successful horror-comedy universe with films like Stree and Bhediya, revealed that Shakti Shalini holds a uniquely significant place in the franchise. Speaking to Zoom, he said, “(Horror comedy) universe jab ban raha tha to vo to pehle se idea tha humare paas. But jab humko laga ki yeh kahaani is universe ki sabse important kahaani ho sakti hai, and jab likh rahe the, to vo bahut hi aisa wala character tha jo abhi tak explored nahi hai. You know, kisi ke baare mein zyada nahi pata hota.”The team was specifically looking for a newcomer who could bring freshness and complexity to such a layered character. Kaushik recalled, “We were thinking of a newcomer - kaun karega, kya karega? And then we saw Saiyaara also. Usse pehle bhi humne dekha tha. And iske saath kahin na kahin bahut saare auditions me maine usko dekha hai. Humne usko dekha hai ki accha, yeh acchi hai. Ladki to acchi hai, you know, aur uska struggle aisa nahi hai ki usne kabhi audition nahi diya.”

Aneet Padda was selected for the role because...

Aneet Padda, who shot to fame with the superhit Saiyaara, left a strong impression on the makers through her relentless audition journey. Kaushik added, “Agar aap Aneet ka dekhein, Aneet kept on giving auditions till she got Saiyaara. Kab se vo karti aa rahi hai. So abhi jo aapne usko Saiyaara mein dekha hai, vo uska sirf chhota sa taste hai. Matlab jo usne kiya, kamaal kiya hai. Uske andar bahut depth hai. Bohot deep understanding hai is age mein.”The filmmaker is confident that Aneet is destined for significant success. “I am sure vo bahut upar jaane wali hai. Aur humko laga ki yaar, yeh character jis tarah se humne likha hai, yeh ladki ko pehle milte hain,” he noted, explaining that both he and producer Dinesh Vijan immediately felt she was perfect for the role. “Pehle hum log mile, Dinu (Dinesh Vijan) mile, main mila. And milne ke baad we were like… hum log jab bhi vo baat karti thi, kuch comment karti thi, hum dono ek doosre ko dekhte the. And we were like, ‘She is the one.’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWDEkQ8QKMQ

With Shakti Shalini set to expand Maddock’s blockbuster horror-comedy universe, and Aneet Padda leading one of its biggest stories yet, anticipation is sky-high. If Saiyaara was just a glimpse of her potential, Shakti Shalini may be the film that solidifies her as Bollywood’s next big force.