'From one dreamer to another': Ayushmann welcomes Aneet to MHCU
What's the story
Actor Aneet Padda, who shot to fame with her role in Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, is the new addition to the Maddock Horror-Comedy Universe. She will be leading Shakti Shalini, and Ayushmann Khurrana recently welcomed her to the MHCU with a heartfelt note. The casting announcement was made through a special video that was attached to the theatrical print of Khurrana's Thamma, also a part of MHCU.
Actor's note
'From 1 dreamer to another': Khurrana welcomes Padda
Khurrana took to his Instagram stories on Saturday to share the screenshots of the casting video and wrote, "Welcome to the MHCU, @aneetpadda..." "Punjabi aa gaye oye!! From one dreamer to another - keep chasing what you want. Nothing is impossible... so proud to see someone from Punjab making us all proud." "Can't wait to see you shine in Shakti Shalini! Onwards and upwards, Aneet." Padda's film will release on Christmas, December 24, 2026.
Career progression
Here's everything you need to know about Padda
Padda made her acting debut in Revathi's Salaam Venky, co-starring Kajol and Vishal Jethwa. She then acted in the Amazon Prime series Big Girls Don't Cry with Pooja Bhatt, Raima Sen, Mukul Chadda, Zoya Hussain, Avantika, and Tenzin Lhakyila, among others. However, it was Suri's romantic musical Saiyaara that shot her to country-wide fame. The movie emerged as one of the highest-grossing movies of 2025 and the biggest romantic film in Indian cinema.
Film success
Khurrana's latest release 'Thamma' is a hit
On the other hand, Khurrana can currently be seen as a betaal in Thamma. The movie, which includes Rashmika Mandanna, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal in pivotal roles, has received positive reviews. It has collected ₹90 crore worldwide at the box office within just four days of its release, per Sacnilk. He will next star in Mudassar Aziz's Pati Patni Aur Woh Do, alongside Sara Ali Khan, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rakul Preet Singh, set to release on March 4, 2026.