A 60-second promo for Shakti Shalini played before the Diwali release Thamma and surprised the audience by confirming Aneet Padda as the lead and a release date of 24 December 2026. That date was earlier reserved for Amar Kaushik’s ambitious mythological project Mahavatar, starring Vicky Kaushal and produced by Maddock Films. In an exclusive chat, Amar opened up about why Mahavatar needs more time and why it’s his biggest film yet.
Why Mahavatar is being postponed
Amar Kaushik confirmed that Mahavatar has been pushed back. He said the team has been prepping for six to seven months but still needs more time. “Mujhe toh soch ke hi darr lag raha hai,” he admitted, explaining that work on set design, weapon design and character looks is already done, and the scripting is complete. However, Vicky Kaushal has other commitments to finish and will need time to prepare for the role. Amar hopes to start filming by mid-next year.
Key reasons for the delay
- Extensive prep on sets, weapons and character design
- Vicky Kaushal’s schedule and preparation time
- Heavy reliance on VFX and large-scale execution
Amar’s personal connection to the story
Mahavatar is a passion project for Amar. He recalled growing up in Arunachal Pradesh near Parshuram Kund and being fascinated by the character of Parshuram even as a child. “I used to ask my mother who Parshuram was… I was only told that he was quite hot-tempered,” Amar said. Reading more about the legend later in life made him wonder if he could ever make a film on it. Now, with experience using VFX, he feels confident enough to attempt it—though the nerves remain.
Stree 2’s success and producer faith
After the blockbuster success of Stree 2 (2024), Amar believes producers like Dinesh Vijan and Maddock Films felt confident handing him a large-scale film. “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,” he said, smiling. Even now, he admits he’s still a little scared—which, he feels, is natural for a project of this scale.
What’s next for fans
While Shakti Shalini now occupies the Christmas 2026 slot, Mahavatar remains alive in development with Vicky Kaushal attached to play the lead. Fans can expect more updates once prep finishes and the team locks down a fresh schedule—Amar says filming could begin by mid-next year. For now, the director is taking careful steps to ensure the film meets his ambitious vision.
