Ranveer Singh’s foray into film production is already drawing attention, even before cameras start rolling on his ambitious debut venture Pralay. The post-apocalyptic zombie thriller, to be directed by Jai Mehta, is shaping up as one of the more unusual genre experiments to emerge from mainstream Hindi cinema in recent years. Now, a new report suggests that Ranveer Singh personally stepped in to finalise the film’s female lead, convincing actor Kalyani Priyadarshan to come on board after she was initially unsure about making her Hindi debut with a zombie film.
According to a report by Mid-Day, Kalyani Priyadarshan had reservations about entering Bollywood at this stage of her career, especially with a genre as unconventional as a zombie thriller.
Despite being the daughter of veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, she is said to be cautious and deliberate about choosing her projects in Hindi cinema.
The actor, who recently gained wider recognition for her role in the Malayalam superhero blockbuster Lokah Chapter One: Chandra (2025), was reportedly weighing whether Pralay would be the right launchpad in Bollywood.
A source quoted by the publication said that Kalyani does not have deep familiarity with the workings of the Hindi film industry and wanted to take her time before committing.
Coming off the success of Lokah, she was focused on making thoughtful career choices rather than rushing into a high-profile debut. Her uncertainty, however, did not last long once Ranveer Singh decided to get personally involved.
The report states that since Pralay is his home production, Ranveer Singh directly reached out to Kalyani. The two actors reportedly had a detailed conversation, during which Ranveer explained the film’s vision and what he and director Jai Mehta were aiming to achieve with the project.
That discussion is said to have helped Kalyani understand the scale, ambition, and originality of Pralay, eventually convincing her to come on board. She is currently believed to be in Mumbai to lock the deal and finalise her shooting dates.
Pralay is envisioned as a post-apocalyptic zombie thriller that uses the genre to explore deeper social, emotional, and moral breakdowns. Ranveer Singh plays a man fighting to survive in a collapsing world, with Kalyani cast as his wife. The film is co-produced by Sameer Nair and Hansal Mehta, lending further credibility to the ambitious project.
Director Jai Mehta is reportedly reimagining Mumbai as a dystopian landscape, drawing comparisons to a Hunger Games-style setting. With Pralay expected to go on floors in April, the project is already being seen as a bold attempt to push the boundaries of mainstream Hindi cinema.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
