Amar Kaushik Confirms Release Date for Shakti Shalini; Shares Insights on His Ambitious Mahavatar Project

Before audiences settled in for the Diwali release of Thamma, a 60-second announcement teased Shakti Shalini, confirming Aneet Padda as the lead and a release date of December 24, 2026. This date was previously earmarked for Mahavatar, starring Vicky Kaushal, directed by Amar Kaushik and produced by Maddock Films. Maddock also produced Thamma, with Amar serving as one of its producers and mentors.

In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Amar Kaushik opened up about the delay in Mahavatar and why the project is his most ambitious to date.

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Mahavatar Postponed, But Preparations Underway

When asked about the release timeline for Mahavatar, Amar Kaushik revealed that the film is being meticulously prepared. “Yes, the prep is going on for 6-7 months. I’m honestly a little scared just thinking about it,” he said. He added that set design, weaponry, character appearances, and scripting have all been finalized, but additional time is needed. “Vicky has other commitments to finish, after which he’ll start his preparation. Hence, we hope to go on floors by mid-next year.”

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A Passion Project Rooted in Childhood Fascination

For Amar, Mahavatar is more than just a film—it’s a deeply personal project. He recounted growing up in Arunachal Pradesh, near Parshuram Kund, where his curiosity about the legendary figure sparked an enduring fascination. “I used to ask my mother who Parshuram was, but she told me not to talk much about it. Later, reading about him, I was wowed and kept wondering if I’d ever make a film on this subject,” he said.

With years of experience in handling VFX, Amar now feels confident in bringing the epic tale to life. “It gave me the confidence to pull it off,” he explained.

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Riding High After Stree 2

The timing couldn’t be better for Amar, who recently delivered Stree 2 (2024), now the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time. He acknowledged that the film’s success boosted producer Dinesh Vijan’s confidence in entrusting him with Mahavatar. “If you haven’t proved yourself, why would anyone entrust you with such responsibility? Agar aapke bade sapne hai, toh chhote sapne toh poore karo pehle,” Amar remarked with a smile. “Even now, I’m still a bit scared!”