Alia Bhatt in MHCU's Chamunda? Amar Kaushik reacts, 'When it happens…'

Following the release of Thamma, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, excitement among fans for the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU) has reached new heights. While the post-credit reveal of Shakti Shalini with Aneet Padda as the lead delighted audiences, another buzz about Alia Bhatt headlining Chamunda has been simmering for days. Well, filmmaker Amar Kaushik has finally spoken about the much-talked-about casting rumours.

Must Read: Why Aneet Padda was chosen for Shakti Shalini? Stree 2 director Amar Kaushik reveals the real reason, shares major update

Amar Kaushik on Introducing Aneet Padda as Shakti Shalini

During an exclusive conversation with Filmfare, Amar Kaushik, director of Stree and Stree 2, and co-producer of MHCU films, opened up about the casting of Aneet Padda.

The filmmaker praised the young actress and without divulging much about Shakti Shalini, he said, "I will say as much as is written. Everything that is written in the tagline is there in the film. We wanted someone younger for that character, someone who doesn't have a baggage. We wanted a character like that and it evolved as we kept writing. She is also a very good actor."

MHCU’s Expanding Universe and Future Films

Alongside Shakti Shalini, the makers have also unveiled a slate of upcoming films under the MHCU franchise. These titles are set to roll out over the next couple of years, ensuring that fans have plenty to look forward to. However, casting details for most of these projects remain tightly under wraps.

The Alia Bhatt-Chamunda Connection

Amid these announcements, one rumour has been setting the internet abuzz- Alia Bhatt joining the universe as the titular lead in Chamunda. The speculation has been going strong for quite some time, with fans eager for confirmation.

When asked about the same, Amar Kaushik kept things cryptic.

"When it happens, everyone will know. I am not denying or accepting anything right now. Everything is on the timeline. We only focus on the story and think about the casting later. We don't write the script or story based on the cast. Thankfully, that does not happen here," he clarified.

Related Story: Alia Bhatt and Kiara Advani's rumoured entry in Maddock Supernatural Universe annoys fans

A Universe Rooted in Storytelling

As it seems, rather than chasing star power, the MHCU continues to prioritize strong narratives, quirky humour, and relatable Indian folklore. For now, fans will have to wait for an official confirmation on whether Alia Bhatt ultimately joins the universe or not.