As excitement builds for Maddock Films’ Diwali blockbuster **Thamma**, cinemagoers across India are in for a special treat. Alongside every screening of *Thamma*, audiences will get to witness the exclusive premiere of the official announcement video for Dinesh Vijan’s upcoming superhero drama, **Shakti Shalini**.
This announcement video marks the formal introduction of **Aneet Padda** in the much-talked-about lead role. Bollywood Hungama proudly reaffirms its position as the first to break the news of her headline-making casting.
Months before the official studio confirmation, we reported the major scoop that Aneet Padda had replaced Kiara Advani as the titular Shakti Shalini. This change came after a series of creative pivots by Maddock Films and Dinesh Vijan [see our exclusive coverage here]. According to our sources, the producers were impressed by Padda’s dynamic performance in *Saiyaara* and recognized her as uniquely suited to spearhead the newest—and most ambitious—female-led franchise in the studio’s expanding cinematic universe.
While the makers of *Shakti Shalini* have kept story details tightly under wraps, the announcement video set to accompany *Thamma* is said to spotlight Aneet Padda’s transformation into a contemporary superhero. The video promises to capture both her vulnerability and unyielding strength.
For Aneet, this role is not only a breakout moment but also a commitment to a franchise that celebrates Indian mythology within a modern, action-packed framework.
Despite ongoing speculation and rumors over the past months, Maddock Films has consistently denied any updates. However, the premiere of this announcement video stands as the studio’s strongest confirmation yet that Aneet Padda is indeed Shakti Shalini.
This move highlights Maddock’s confidence in fresh talent and original storytelling, perfectly aligning with their Diwali release strategy for *Thamma*—another big-budget, genre-bending film starring **Ayushmann Khurrana** and **Rashmika Mandanna**.
By attaching the *Shakti Shalini* announcement video to *Thamma*, Dinesh Vijan and his team continue to deliver festival season fireworks. Audiences get a first look at what promises to be Bollywood’s next major heroine-led cinematic universe.
While Ayushmann Khurrana’s horror-comedy origin story may be the highlight of Diwali 2025, fans will undoubtedly be buzzing about Aneet Padda’s debut as Shakti Shalini—a scoop Bollywood Hungama is proud to have brought to you first.
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**Also Read:** [SCOOP: The real reason why Aneet Padda replaced Kiara Advani in Dinesh Vijan’s Shakti Shalini]
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/shakti-shalini-announcement-video-debut-thamma-first-glimpse-reveals-aneet-paddas-starring-role/