Aneet Padda is taking a sharp turn after the biggest romantic hit in Indian cinema. Saiyaara collected around ₹580 crore worldwide in 2025 and made her a star. For the next step, she has picked Shakti Shalini, a women-led horror comedy from the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe that arrives in theatres this December.
In an interview with Variety India, she said the shift was deliberate. After a blockbuster love story, she wanted a film where she would be the centre, not one half of a pair.
A different second film by design
Aneet described Shakti Shalini as “the exact thing I’m going to want to do after Saiyaara”. The film mixes action, romance and the supernatural, and she said it gives her “a completely different version” of herself to play.
The stronger pull, she added, was the ownership. She wanted a solo film, to be able to say “this is my movie” and to know that whatever happens with the film is hers to own.
She admitted that carrying a film alone can be “a little bit intimidating”, but said the result would be “mine to own.”
The choice also points to how rare women-led theatrical films remain. Aneet said she asked “how many women get to do that?” and felt lucky to land one in only her second film.
The benchmark she is leaving behind
Saiyaara, directed by Mohit Suri and backed by Yash Raj Films, marked Ahaan Panday’s debut and became the highest-grossing romantic film in Indian cinema. Its ₹580 crore worldwide haul set a high bar for both newcomers.
Instead of repeating the formula, Aneet is stepping into a franchise where horror and comedy, not grand romance, drive the story.
What Shakti Shalini brings
Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar, the film is the sixth instalment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. It centres on Shakti, an ordinary woman who becomes a protector, while Shalini, a vengeful spirit, returns to punish men.
- Genre: Horror comedy with action and romance
- Cast: Aneet Padda and Vishal Jethwa, with Nana Patekar appearing posthumously
- Director: Aditya Sarpotdar
- Release: Theatres this December
The premise is a blend of protection and vengeance: Shakti is the ordinary woman who rises, while Shalini is the spirit who returns to punish men after being betrayed and killed.
The film is set to feature Nana Patekar posthumously after his death on October 8, making it a significant release for his admirers.
Aneet was most recently seen in Hunkaar, a series she shot before Saiyaara. Shakti Shalini is her next theatrical outing, with Vishal Jethwa in the other key role.
Why the shift matters
For an actor, moving from a record-breaking romance to a solo franchise lead is a way to avoid being typecast. For fans, it is a chance to see whether Aneet can build on Saiyaara‘s success in a very different genre. The December theatrical run will settle the debate.
Source: Hindustan Times