Ayushmann Khurrana is on a career high after the roaring success of his latest supernatural entertainer Thamma, and he’s already passing the torch to another rising star. The actor recently took to social media to welcome actress Aneet Padda into the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) with her upcoming film Shakti Shalini.
Sharing the film’s mystical title poster on his Instagram stories, Ayushmann wrote a heartfelt message for the newcomer:“Welcome to the MHCU, @aneetpadda… Punjabi aa gaye oye!! From one dreamer to another — keep chasing what you want. Nothing is impossible. So proud to see someone from Punjab making us all proud. Can’t wait to see you shine in Shakti Shalini! Onwards and upwards Aneet.”
The striking poster of Shakti Shalini announced that “Shakti will be unleashed” on December 24, 2026, giving fans a glimpse of the expanding universe that Maddock Films is building through its genre-bending stories.
The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, founded by producer Dinesh Vijan, has steadily evolved into one of Bollywood’s most unique cinematic worlds. Starting with Stree and later branching into Bhediya and Thamma, the interconnected universe combines horror, mythology, and humor — a rare blend that audiences have embraced wholeheartedly.
Ayushmann’s Thamma, which hit screens during Diwali, is currently performing exceptionally well at the box office. The film, set in a darkly comic world of vampires, stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Rashmika Mandanna alongside Ayushmann. It even features a crossover with Varun Dhawan’s Bhediya, delighting fans who enjoy spotting interlinked characters across the MHCU timeline.
With Thamma setting the tone for what’s to come, the introduction of Shakti Shalini hints at the next big chapter in this ever-expanding horror-comedy universe. Aneet Padda’s entry, backed by Ayushmann’s warm welcome, adds a fresh face and new energy to Maddock’s supernatural saga.
As fans continue to celebrate Thamma’s success, excitement is already brewing for Shakti Shalini — a film that promises to blend myth, power, and dark humor in the unmistakable Maddock style.