Fresh off the historic success of Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh is reportedly gearing up to plunge Hindi cinema into an unprecedented genre—the zombie apocalypse. His potential next project, titled Pralay, is being touted as Bollywood's first full-fledged film in this popular Western genre, marking a significant departure from traditional storytelling.
From Spy Thriller to Zombie Apocalypse: Ranveer's Radical Shift
While all eyes are on the monumental box office run of Aditya Dhar's period spy thriller Dhurandhar, which is nearing the Rs 800 crore domestic club, discussions about Ranveer Singh's future are already heating up. The actor, currently focused on the sequel Dhurandhar Part 2 releasing on March 19 for Eid, Ugadi, and Gudi Padwa, might sideline the much-anticipated Don 3 for this groundbreaking venture.
Sources indicate that Pralay will not be a typical zombie flick. Unlike the comedic take seen in Raj & DK's 2013 film Go Goa Gone (whose rights are now with Maddock Films), Ranveer's film is envisioned as a post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller. It plans to use Artificial Intelligence to depict a decayed, futuristic version of Mumbai, setting a new visual benchmark for Indian cinema.
The Cast: A New Leading Lady and a Directorial Debut
Initial speculation suggested a reunion with Alia Bhatt, but her packed schedule for 2026—with films like Alpha and Love & War—has reportedly paved the way for a new face. The frontrunner for the female lead is now Kalyani Priyadarshan.
Kalyani, daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Priyadarshan, rose to fame with her titular role in the supernatural Malayalam blockbuster Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Her experience in a similar genre makes her a seamless fit for Pralay, and this project is likely to mark her official Bollywood debut.
Behind the camera, Jai Mehta, son of filmmaker Hansal Mehta, will make his theatrical directorial debut with Pralay. Jai has previously co-directed acclaimed series like Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story and Lootere. The film will be co-produced by Hansal Mehta and Sameer Nair's Applause Entertainment.
Production Timeline and the Don 3 Conundrum
The exact timeline for Pralay remains fluid. While plans were initially set for a start in the second half of this year, everything now hinges on the release and performance of Dhurandhar Part 2. Ranveer Singh has been advised to maintain a low profile until the sequel hits theatres.
This creates an interesting dilemma: will he choose Pralay or Don 3 as his immediate follow-up? Contrary to reports of him exiting the Farhan Akhtar directorial, sources clarify that Ranveer is currently focused on shedding his Dhurandhar physique before he can commence work on the Don threequel. Ultimately, the fate of his next move rests on the audience's verdict for Dhurandhar Part 2, but Pralay is definitely a strong contender on his slate.
If it materializes, Pralay will not only be a career first for Ranveer Singh but also a genre-first for mainstream Hindi cinema, attempting to bring the global appeal of zombie classics like Train to Busan and World War Z to Indian shores with a distinct dystopian twist.
