‘Madness incoming’: Shalini Pandey drops riotous 1st look of ‘Rahu Ketu’

Actor Shalini Pandey is keeping her momentum high and her comedic streak hotter as she announces her next film, 'Rahu Ketu', right on the heels of her recent outing ‘Idli Kadai’.

The actor, who has been steadily building a diverse filmography across languages and genres, is now stepping into what she calls a “mad, fun, totally unpredictable universe” created by director Vipul Vig.

The announcement dropped on Tuesday through an Instagram post where Shalini shared the film’s first poster along with a playful caption:

“Twice the manoranjan. Twice the fun. Naye saal mein, dasha aur disha badalne aa rahe hain Rahu-Ketu!” The film is set to hit theatres on January 16, 2026, positioning itself as one of the early big-ticket comedies of the year.

What’s fuelling the hype even more is the cast: Shalini will be seen sharing screen space with ‘Fukrey’ (2013) regulars Varun Sharma and Pulkit Samrat, both known for their impeccable comedic timing and effortless chemistry.

With this duo onboard, expectations for a laughter-heavy entertainer are already high.

Speaking about the experience, Shalini said the film’s atmosphere was infectious from day one.

“'Rahu Ketu' is the kind of film where every day on set felt fun. Varun and Pulkit are a riot, and Vipul brings this quirky world alive in the coolest way.

I can't wait for people to see the madness we've created!” she shared in a press note. Her excitement hints at a film that leans into chaos, character-driven humour, and a vibrant, exaggerated storytelling style.

Shalini’s last release, ‘Idli Kadai’, directed by Dhanush, saw her share screen space with Dhanush himself and Nithya Menen.

The film allowed her to showcase a grounded, emotional performance wrapped in a commercial Tamil format. Before that, she drew acclaim for her part in ‘Maharaj’ (2024), where she starred alongside Junaid Khan.

The film retold the true events of the 1862 Maharaj Libel Case, where a reformist journalist exposed misconduct within a religious order — a far cry from the comedic chaos she’s embraced now.

The shift from historical drama to slice-of-life Tamil entertainer to a full-blown Bollywood comedy shows Shalini’s intent to explore varied storytelling spaces. And with 'Rahu Ketu', she appears to be leaning fully into the fun.

As audiences wait for a teaser, the combination of Vipul Vig’s quirky storytelling, Varun–Pulkit’s signature energy, and Shalini’s fresh comic presence sets 'Rahu Ketu' up as a promising entertainer ready to kick off 2026 with a burst of laughter.