Maddock Films‘ ambitious plans for its interconnected Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) have hit an unforeseen snag, The release date for “Shakti Shalini,” starring Kiara Advani in the lead role, has been postponed by nearly a year due to the actress’s pregnancy. This delay is expected to cause a ripple effect across the MHCU, potentially impacting the storylines and release schedules of other interconnected films.
“Shakti Shalini” Faces Year-Long Delay Due to Kiara Advani’s Pregnancy
Kiara Advani, who is expecting her first child with husband Sidharth Malhotra later this year, will reportedly take a maternity break and return to work only around mid-next year. This development has directly impacted the production and release timeline of “Shakti Shalini.” Maddock Films had initially slated the supernatural comedy for a December 31, 2025, release. However, with Kiara’s extended absence, the film’s release will now likely be pushed to late 2026.
Maddock’s Horror Comedy Universe Faces Major Schedule Shake-Up
The postponement of “Shakti Shalini” represents a significant disruption for Maddock Films’ carefully constructed Horror Comedy Universe. The studio had unveiled an ambitious slate of eight interconnected films, aiming for a steady flow of releases over the next four years. With “Shakti Shalini” facing a substantial delay, the interconnected narratives and planned release dates of other MHCU projects are now under scrutiny.
Despite the significant delay, sources close to the production have confirmed that Maddock Films is committed to moving forward with Kiara Advani in the lead role. While there was speculation about a possible recasting to adhere to the original timeline, the makers have decided to honour Kiara’s maternity break and wait for her return. This decision underscores the importance of Kiara’s presence in the film and the studio’s faith in her as the central character of “Shakti Shalini.”
“Shakti Shalini” Director to Revise Narrative
Ajitpal Singh, known for his critically acclaimed web series “Tabbar,” is helming “Shakti Shalini.” The film was scheduled to commence production in June of this year. However, with the delay in Kiara’s return, the writing team is now actively revising the overarching narrative arc of the Horror Comedy Universe to accommodate these changes. This revision will ensure that the interconnected storylines of the MHCU films remain cohesive despite the altered timelines.
Other MHCU Projects Likely to Face Rescheduling and Delays
The domino effect of “Shakti Shalini’s” postponement is already being felt across other projects within the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. Varun Dhawan’s “Bhediya 2” is reportedly unlikely to begin production before the end of the year. Furthermore, Alia Bhatt’s “Chamunda” is still in the scripting stage, with no director currently attached. Given the interconnected nature of these films and the significant VFX work required for each, meeting their initially planned release targets will be increasingly challenging.
“Thama” Remains the Sole MHCU Release for 2025
Amidst the rescheduling and delays, the vampire comedy “Thama,” starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, remains the only confirmed release from the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe for 2025. Originally slated for a Diwali release, “Thama” will now bear the responsibility of keeping the MHCU momentum going until other projects can align with the revised timelines. The future roadmap for Maddock’s ambitious horror-comedy universe now hinges on how effectively the studio can navigate these unforeseen delays and recalibrate its release strategy.
