Industry buzz suggests Kalyani Priyadarshan could be making her Hindi film debut opposite Ranveer Singh in the much-talked-about project titled Pralay. Reports first surfaced via 123 Telugu that the film will also mark Ranveer’s debut as a co-producer under his banner, Maa Kasam Films.
Surprise casting: Kalyani in place of Alia?
For weeks there was talk that Alia Bhatt might reunite with Ranveer after their hits Gully Boy and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The latest buzz, however, points to Kalyani Priyadarshan being finalised as the female lead. Filmmaker Jai Mehta is said to have locked her for the part, though makers have not issued an official announcement yet.
Jai Mehta’s solo directorial debut
Jai Mehta, son of celebrated director Hansal Mehta, is reportedly making his solo feature debut with this film. Jai came into the limelight after assisting on the successful series Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, and he’s been keen to helm a big-screen project. Pre-production is expected to kick off in April, with principal photography likely between July and August.
What Pralay promises: a dystopian, high-tech Mumbai
Details about the storyline are being kept under wraps, but the project is being described as a futuristic, high-concept film centered on a kind of zombie apocalypse. The narrative reportedly explores the downfall of Mumbai, with AI-driven sets and a grim, desolate visual palette — think abandoned spaces, decay and a pervasive atmosphere of collapse. If true, the film would be a rare attempt at large-scale sci-fi dystopia in mainstream Hindi cinema.
Kalyani’s rise and why this matters
Kalyani Priyadarshan has been expanding her pan-Indian presence, and 2025 was a strong year for her thanks to Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Produced by Dulquer Salmaan, she played India’s first female superhero in that film — a performance that earned positive notices and broadened her appeal across regions. A Hindi debut opposite Ranveer would be a big next step in her career trajectory.
Where Ranveer stands
Ranveer Singh is riding high on the praise for Dhurandhar and is gearing up for the release of Dhurandhar 2, scheduled for March 19. Taking on a co-producer role for Pralay would signal his growing interest in backing ambitious, content-driven projects in addition to his acting commitments.
Why the film could be noteworthy
- Fresh on-screen pairing: Ranveer and Kalyani would be a new combination for audiences.
- Genre novelty: A big-budget zombie/dystopia set in Mumbai is uncommon in mainstream Hindi films.
- Technical ambition: The talk of AI-driven sets and large-scale worldbuilding suggests a heavy emphasis on visuals and production design.
For now, this remains industry chatter until the makers officially confirm the cast and other details. If timelines hold — pre-production in April and a mid-year shoot — we could hear formal announcements in the coming months. Either way, Pralay promises to be one of the more intriguing and ambitious projects to watch in Hindi cinema this year.