Sign in

Aneet Padda says she wanted to move away from romance, do a solo film after Saiyaara's success: ‘I have been lucky to get Shakti Shalini’

Aneet Padda says she wanted a solo film where the responsibility rests on her shoulders after the success of Saiyaara.

Published on: Oct 15, 2026, 14:57:33 IST
Written by
Share
Share via
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
Copy link
  • copy link

Bollywood actor Aneet Padda rose to fame in 2025 with her first leading role in Saiyaara. Her chemistry with Ahaan Panday in Mohit Suri’s romantic musical won hearts. She is now awaiting the release of her upcoming film, Shakti Shalini, which is part of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe. In an interview with Variety India, Aneet said she consciously wanted to move away from romance after the huge success of Saiyaara and shared that she feels lucky to have bagged Shakti Shalini.

Aneet Padda talks about Shakti Shalini.
Aneet Padda talks about Shakti Shalini.

Aneet Padda on choosing Shakti Shalini after Saiyaara

Talking about her second film being Shakti Shalini after Saiyaara, Aneet said, “I have been lucky to get Shakti Shalini. It’s by definition, the exact thing I’m going to want to do after Saiyaara. It’s so different. It’s action, romance and supernatural. I’ve gotten the chance to explore a completely different version of me.”

She further revealed that she feels lucky to get a women-led film after Saiyaara and said, “Also, I wanted to do a solo film, to be as blunt as I can be. I wanted to be able to say that this is my movie. As an actor, it’s on my shoulders. And how many women get to do that? I just felt very lucky to be able to have that in my second film. Even though it’s completely on my shoulders and that can be a little bit intimidating, but whatever happens with it is mine to own.”

About Saiyaara

Helmed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara marked Ahaan Panday’s Bollywood debut. Backed by Yash Raj Films (YRF), the film also featured Rajesh Sharma, Alam Khan and others in key roles. It received positive reviews and emerged as the highest-grossing romantic film in Indian cinema. The film collected around ₹580 crore worldwide at the box office, turning Ahaan and Aneet into overnight stars.

About Shakti Shalini

Aneet was most recently seen in the series Hunkaar, which she shot well before Saiyaara. She will next be seen in Shakti Shalini, the sixth instalment in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe.

Helmed by Aditya Sarpotdar, Shakti Shalini is a horror comedy centred on Shakti, an ordinary woman who becomes a protector, while Shalini, a vengeful spirit, returns to punish men after being brutally betrayed and killed. The film stars Aneet Padda and Vishal Jethwa. It is also set to feature Nana Patekar posthumously, following his death on October 8. The film is scheduled to release in theatres this December.

  • Riya Sharma
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Riya Sharma

    Riya Sharma is a content producer at Hindustan Times who lives and breathes entertainment. If there’s gossip making noise in Bollywood or a reality show moment breaking the internet, chances are she’s already writing about it. She loves digging out the juiciest stories, spotting viral pegs and turning it into easy-to-read content. A journalism graduate from IP University, Riya began her career as a social media executive, where she learned the art of grabbing attention in a scroll-heavy world. But her love for showbiz soon pulled her into entertainment journalism, because for her, it’s always been entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment. An artist at heart, Riya has a deep passion for acting, music and dance, which shapes how she watches and writes about films and reality shows. She loves sharing her views and reviews, especially when something excites, surprises or completely disappoints her. A hardcore reality show fan, Riya enjoys tracking every twist, task and meltdown, and breaking them down for readers who can’t get enough of high-voltage drama. Movies are equally close to her heart, whether it’s a big theatrical release or a binge-worthy OTT series, she’s always watching, and analysing what’s worth the time. She loves talking to celebrities, asking questions that go beyond the usual. When she’s not working, she’s either glued to a new web series, hunting for underrated thrillers on OTT platforms, or rewatching iconic Bollywood moments.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!.

Get more updates from Bollywood, Taylor Swift, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.