Nana Patekar’s last film ‘Shakti Shalini’ pushed to 2027 to avoid clash with Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘King’

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Maddock Films’ horror-comedy, featuring Aneet Padda in the lead, will now release in early 2027 instead of Christmas 2026

The Aneet Padda-led horror-comedy Shakti Shalini has been pushed from its earlier Christmas 2026 slot to early 2027 to avoid a box-office clash with Shah Rukh Khan’s King.

According to a Mid-Day report, producer Dinesh Vijan and director Aditya Sarpotdar have decided to shift the film to the first quarter of 2027, with March currently being considered as the likely release window. An official date, however, is yet to be locked.

The decision, sources say, was also driven by the makers’ desire to give Padda a solo theatrical release following the massive success of Saiyaara (2025) and to position Shakti Shalini as a key addition to Maddock Films’ expanding Horror Comedy Universe.

Shakti Shalini will mark the final screen appearance of veteran actor Nana Patekar, who died of a heart attack in Goa on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75. He had completed shooting for the film in May 2026.

“I never expected that Shakti Shalini would be his last film. I’m deeply saddened that this will be his last work. It is going to be a tribute to one of the best actors of our cinema,” Sarpotdar told PTI from Berlin.

The director revealed that Patekar had called him around 10 days before his death to enquire about the film’s post-production and was looking forward to watching the finished cut.

Sarpotdar first narrated the film to Patekar at the actor’s farmhouse in Pune. Impressed by the story, his role, Padda’s part and the world being built, Patekar immediately agreed to come on board. The two spent several days developing the script together.

Patekar was also familiar with Maddock’s horror-comedy outings, having appreciated films like Stree and Munjya.

Recalling their time on set, Sarpotdar described Patekar as “a powerhouse of talent” – curious about visual effects, new-age filmmaking and eager to interact with younger crew members and actors.

“He would yell at me, ‘haq se’. He wanted everyone to put their best foot forward. But the anger never lasted more than a few minutes. He’d come back, pat my back, offer me food or give me a hug,” Sarpotdar said.

Shakti Shalini stars Aneet Padda in the titular role alongside the late Nana Patekar, Vishal Jethwa, Vineet Kumar Singh and Seema Biswas. Directed by Aditya Sarpotdar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, the film is set to introduce a new character into the studio’s Horror Comedy Universe.

The makers are yet to reveal Patekar’s character or plot details.