**Amar Kaushik Clarifies Shakti Shalini Casting Rumours: Kiara Advani Was Never Officially Approached**
Filmmaker Amar Kaushik, known for helming some of Bollywood’s biggest horror comedies, is currently developing Maddock Films’ next anticipated project, **Shakti Shalini**. The film has been surrounded by speculation regarding its casting, with rumours circulating that Kiara Advani was initially in talks for the lead role before being replaced by *Saiyaara* star Aneet Padda.
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### Amar Kaushik Breaks Silence on Casting Speculation
In a recent interview with Filmygyan, Amar Kaushik—who kickstarted the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) with *Stree*—set the record straight about the casting process. Addressing the rumour that Aneet Padda was cast after the success of *Saiyaara*, Amar explained that Kiara Advani was never officially associated with the film.
“Kiara is a beautiful actor. Nothing was confirmed, so I don’t know how this came out,” Amar shared. “I have always wanted to work with Kiara. When you write a story, you have an idea, and as you develop it further, you realise who fits which character. When *Saiyaara* came out, we were still in the process of writing *Shakti Shalini*.”
When asked if Kiara Advani had ever been finalized for the film, Amar clarified, “Nobody was locked. There was nothing like that. We were just exploring who would fit the role. Sometimes even we don’t know the full story, but someone leaks something.”
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### About Shakti Shalini
*Shakti Shalini* was officially teased in the end credits of *Thamma*, which starred Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna. The post-credit announcement confirmed that Aneet Padda would play the titular role, fueling further rumours about the film’s casting.
While detailed information about the project remains under wraps, it is confirmed that Amar Kaushik is involved in writing the script. *Shakti Shalini* is set to be the next installment in the ever-expanding Maddock Horror Comedy Universe.
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### The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU)
The MHCU has become one of Bollywood’s most successful cinematic universes, beginning with *Stree* in 2018. The universe has delivered box office hits like *Bhediya*, *Munjya*, and the recently released *Thamma*. Collectively, the franchise has crossed Rs. 1500 crores at the global box office. *Thamma* alone has earned over Rs. 180 crores worldwide, further solidifying the universe’s popularity.
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**Also Read:** From Sharvari’s Alpha to Aneet Padda’s Shakti Shalini, here are five actresses with the strongest upcoming releases.
*More Pages: [Shakti Shalini Box Office Collection]*
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