Ranveer Singh leads gritty survival drama Pralay, Alia Bhatt in talks for key role

In 2025, the title Pralay has come to represent two very different Indian film projects one a high-profile Bollywood zombie thriller currently in pre-production, and the other a Marathi action-drama that released in late 2025. Among the two, it is the upcoming Hindi-language project that has generated significant industry buzz.

The Bollywood Pralay is envisioned as an ambitious, post-apocalyptic survival drama set against the backdrop of a devastated Mumbai. The film will be directed by Jai Mehta, marking his feature film directorial debut after earning critical acclaim for the web series Scam 1992. The project signals Mehta’s transition from financial drama to large-scale, genre-driven cinema.

Ranveer Singh has been officially confirmed as the lead protagonist. Known for his intense screen presence and transformative performances, Singh is expected to anchor the film’s emotionally demanding narrative. As of late December 2025, Alia Bhatt has emerged as the top choice for the female lead. Reports suggest that her character will be a “central powerhouse” in the story, steering clear of the conventional romantic trope and instead playing a key role in the film’s moral and emotional core.

Unlike stylized zombie action films, Pralay is being described as gritty and grounded. The narrative reportedly focuses on human behavior, ethical dilemmas, and survival instincts under extreme pressure, using the zombie outbreak as a backdrop rather than the sole spectacle. The film aims to explore how society fractures and rebuilds when pushed to the brink.

Production on the Bollywood Pralay is expected to begin between July and August 2026. While the final cast lineup is yet to be officially announced, the potential pairing of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt has already heightened expectations for the project.

Separately, Pralay also refers to a Marathi-language action-drama that released in late 2025, sharing only the title with the Bollywood project. The two films are unrelated in terms of story, cast, and creative vision.

With its genre-defying approach, strong creative backing, and the possibility of two of Bollywood’s biggest stars leading the narrative, Pralay is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched upcoming Hindi films in the post-apocalyptic genre.