Ranveer Singh, one of Bollywood’s most dynamic stars, is stepping into uncharted territory—both on and off the screen. As he basks in the afterglow of his record-breaking blockbuster Dhurandhar, Singh is gearing up for his debut as a film producer with the much-anticipated post-apocalyptic zombie thriller Pralay. But this isn’t just another big-budget Bollywood spectacle; it’s a project that’s drawing attention for its bold vision, unique casting choices, and the personal touch Singh is bringing to every aspect of production.
According to Mid-Day, Singh’s dedication to his craft is legendary, and that intensity is now shaping his work behind the camera. For Pralay, he didn’t just sign checks—he personally picked up the phone to convince rising star Kalyani Priyadarshan to join the project as the female lead. Priyadarshan, fresh off the monumental success of her 2025 superhero hit Lokah: Chapter 1: Chandra, was reportedly cautious about entering the Hindi film industry despite her father Priyadarshan’s iconic status in Bollywood. “I don’t know how to explain this, but good stories have always found me, whatever the language is. I’ve always said that I’m a very greedy actor when it comes to scripts. If there’s a good script, whichever language it is in, whether it’s Marathi, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu or Malayalam, I want it,” Kalyani told Hindustan Times. Her careful approach meant she took her time weighing the script and timing before saying yes to Pralay.
Singh’s personal outreach made all the difference. As reported by News18, after a long and detailed conversation with Singh and director Jai Mehta, Kalyani was convinced of the film’s unique vision. “After a long chat, she understood that Ranveer and Jai are bringing a novel world with the movie, and excitedly came on board,” a source revealed to Mid-Day. The film will see Singh and Priyadarshan playing a married couple battling for survival in a devastated world—a premise that promises both emotional depth and high-stakes action.
What makes Pralay stand out isn’t just its star power or genre. The film, co-produced by Sameer Nair and acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta, will be directed by Jai Mehta, marking his feature film directorial debut after co-helming the celebrated series Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. According to The Times of India, Pralay is set to explore survival in a collapsing world, using the zombie genre as a metaphor for social, emotional, and moral breakdown. The creative team plans to digitally age large portions of Mumbai, transforming the city into a haunting, near-unrecognizable landscape inspired by the dystopian visuals of The Hunger Games. Filming will begin in Mumbai before moving to other locations, with the production employing a blend of large-scale physical sets and AI-driven digital extensions to achieve its ambitious look.
The anticipation around Pralay is palpable, and not just because of its genre-bending premise. As of January 16, 2026, Kalyani Priyadarshan is in Mumbai, finalizing her agreement and aligning her schedule for the film, which is expected to begin shooting between July and August 2026. The buzz is fueled in part by the team’s willingness to push boundaries, both technologically and narratively, and by the sense that Singh is channeling his recent professional and personal highs into the project.
Speaking of highs, Singh’s 2025 has been nothing short of historic. His film Dhurandhar has rewritten the record books, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time in India with approximately Rs 840.85 crore nett in just 36 days, according to Mid-Day. The film surpassed Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan (Rs 640.25 crore nett) and is now the fifth highest-grossing Indian film globally, having already crossed Rs 1,200 crore and closing in on the likes of RRR and KGF: Chapter 2. Only Pushpa 2 (Rs 1,234.1 crore nett) and Baahubali 2 (Rs 1,030.42 crore nett) remain ahead domestically, but Dhurandhar is expected to surpass these soon.
It’s not just professional triumphs that have Singh glowing. He welcomed the New Year in New York with his wife, Deepika Padukone, and their daughter Dua—a period of joy and reflection that’s as important to him as any box office milestone. “New Year’s was a special time as it is every year, but this year is even more special. Earlier, Ranveer was very busy with Dhurandhar. He made sure he was a doting father and husband, travelling back home even if it was for a few hours in between shoots and after Dhurandhar’s massive success, he is spending all his time with Dua. Beti ke aane se naseeb badal jaata hai, and Dua has brought good luck to him, his lakshmi and he is making the most of his time before Dhurandhar 2 with her. A daughter can truly be a blessing, and this is a beautiful example for us,” an industry source told Mid-Day.
As Singh enjoys this fulfilling phase, the industry’s gaze is already shifting to what’s next. Dhurandhar 2 is in the works, promising deeper storytelling and higher emotional stakes, particularly for characters Hamza and Jaskirat. If the first film was about impact and dominance, the sequel is set to deliver layered narratives and characters that linger long after the credits roll.
Kalyani Priyadarshan’s own star is on the rise. Her 2025 film Lokah: Chapter 1: Chandra, directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan, was a blockbuster that blended regional folklore with a modern superhero narrative. The story followed Chandra, a mysterious woman with roots in Kerala folklore, who battles sinister forces while unraveling her supernatural identity. The film’s captivating storyline, intense action, and impressive VFX drew widespread praise, cementing Kalyani as a force to be reckoned with in Indian cinema.
Now, with Pralay, she’s poised to make her mark in Hindi cinema—on her own terms, and with a project that aligns with her artistic vision. “Obviously, I’m one person and I can’t shoot 10 movies at the same time and there are 100 great scripts out there. But this is where I’m at,” she told Hindustan Times, underscoring her commitment to quality over quantity.
As Pralay readies to go on floors, the excitement isn’t just about zombies or visual effects. It’s about a new chapter for two of Indian cinema’s brightest talents, a bold experiment in genre and storytelling, and the promise of stories that transcend language and tradition. With Singh and Priyadarshan at the helm, audiences can expect a film that’s as ambitious as it is heartfelt—a rare combination in any industry.
With cameras set to roll and expectations sky-high, all eyes are on Pralay—a project that could redefine what’s possible in Bollywood, both on screen and behind the scenes.