Filmmaker Amar Kaushik Sets the Record Straight on Casting Controversy
After weeks of intense speculation across social media and entertainment news platforms, acclaimed filmmaker Amar Kaushik has finally broken his silence regarding the casting rumours for his upcoming project, 'Shakti Shalini'. The director, known for creating successful horror-comedy films like 'Stree' and 'Bhediya', directly addressed the widespread reports suggesting that actress Kiara Advani had been replaced by newcomer Aneet Padda in the much-anticipated film.
"Nothing Was Confirmed": Kaushik's Exclusive Statement
In an exclusive conversation with Filmygyan, Kaushik provided clarity on the entire situation, emphasizing that the replacement narrative was completely unfounded. "Kiara is a beautiful actor," Kaushik stated, showing his admiration for the actress. He further explained, "Nothing was confirmed, so I don't know how it came out. I have always wanted to work with Kiara."
The director elaborated on the natural evolution of casting decisions during film development. "When you write a story, you have an idea, and as you develop it further, you realise who is fit for which character," he said, highlighting the organic process of matching actors to roles as scripts mature.
The Truth Behind the Casting Process
Kaushik strongly denied that any casting had been finalized prematurely. "Nobody was locked. There was nothing like it. We were just thinking who would fit," he clarified, directly countering the reports that suggested Padda had stepped in after Advani's exit from the project.
The filmmaker also addressed the curious timing of the rumours, noting that when Aneet Padda gained recognition for her performance in 'Saiyaara', the script for 'Shakti Shalini' was still being developed. "When 'Saiyaara' came out, we were still in the process of writing ('Shakti Shalini')," Kaushik revealed, providing crucial context about the project's timeline.
Official Revelation and Franchise Expansion
The film was officially introduced to audiences on October 20 through the end credits of 'Thamma', which featured Aneet Padda in the titular role. This casting marks a significant milestone for Padda as she enters Kaushik's expanding horror-comedy universe, which already includes major commercial successes like 'Munjya', 'Stree', and 'Bhediya'.
With 'Shakti Shalini' joining this growing franchise, Kaushik continues to establish his unique cinematic world that masterfully blends spine-chilling horror elements with moments of genuine humour and levity. The film promises to maintain the director's signature style that has resonated strongly with audiences across India.
As excitement continues to build around this new addition to the horror-comedy landscape, Kaushik's detailed clarification provides much-needed context for eager fans. While media speculation may persist, the filmmaker's straightforward explanation makes it clear that casting decisions in his projects are driven entirely by creative vision and character requirements, rather than premature rumours or unauthorized leaks.
