As excitement builds for Maddock Films’ Diwali blockbuster *Thamma*, cinemagoers across India are in for another exclusive treat. The official announcement video for Dinesh Vijan’s upcoming superhero drama *Shakti Shalini* will premiere alongside every screening of *Thamma*.
This special 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 scooped the major revelation that Aneet Padda had replaced Kiara Advani as the titular Shakti Shalini, following a series of creative pivots by Maddock Films and Dinesh Vijan. Our exclusive coverage highlighted that the producers were deeply impressed by Padda’s dynamic performance in *Saiyaara*, viewing her as uniquely suited to spearhead the newest—and most ambitious—female-led franchise within the studio’s expanding cinematic universe.
While the makers of *Shakti Shalini* have kept story details tightly under wraps, the announcement video accompanying *Thamma* is said to showcase Aneet Padda’s transformation into a contemporary superhero, embodying both vulnerability and unyielding strength. For Aneet, this role is not only a breakout moment but also the promise of a franchise that celebrates Indian mythology within a modern, action-packed framework.
Despite past rumours and speculation, Maddock Films has officially reaffirmed Aneet Padda’s casting through this announcement video—the studio’s strongest confirmation yet. This move underlines Maddock’s confidence in fresh talent and original storytelling, perfectly aligning with their Diwali release strategy for *Thamma*—a big-budget, genre-bending film starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Rashmika Mandanna.
By attaching the *Shakti Shalini* announcement video to the *Thamma* screenings, Dinesh Vijan and his team continue to deliver festival season fireworks. Audiences will get their first glimpse of what promises to be Bollywood’s next major heroine-led universe.
While Ayushmann Khurrana’s horror-comedy origin story is set to be the Diwali 2025 highlight, fans will also be buzzing about Aneet Padda’s debut as Shakti Shalini—a scoop that Bollywood Hungama is proud to have brought to you first.
**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/
