Ranveer Singh's 'Pralay' zombie thriller locked for August 2026 shoot, ₹300 crore budget confirmed
Synopsis
After whispers of creative discord, Ranveer Singh's ₹300 crore zombie epic 'Prayal' is officially back on track for August 2026. Director Jai Mehta has locked the script with the actor, and pre-production is in full swing. This is Bollywood's most ambitious zombie play yet — and a genre-shifting bet for Singh post-'Dhurandhar'.
Key Takeaways
Ranveer Singh confirmed to lead filmmaker Jai Mehta's post-apocalyptic thriller 'Prayal' .
Production set to commence in August 2026 ; script already locked in pre-production.
Estimated budget of ₹300 crore for the VFX-heavy zombie thriller .
Produced by Hansal Mehta's True Story Films , Ranveer Singh's Maa Kasam Films , and Applause Entertainment .
Screenplay by Jai Mehta and Vishal Kapoor ("Lootere" writer).
Earlier reports of creative differences between actor and director denied by project insiders.
Actor Ranveer Singh is set to headline filmmaker Jai Mehta's post-apocalyptic zombie thriller 'Pralay', with production commencing in August 2026, according to an insider close to the project. The announcement comes after recent reports suggested creative differences between the actor and director had derailed the film.
The insider dismissed those claims, stating that the script has been locked and pre-production is already underway. "Ranveer and Jai have been in continuous discussions and have firmly locked the script," the source said, adding that the team is "actively gearing up to create a never-before-witnessed gigantic spectacle out of Indian cinema."
The project scope and budget
"Prayal" is being mounted as a VFX-heavy action thriller set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world, with an estimated budget of around ₹300 crore. Filmmaker Jai Mehta has been developing the project since last year and is aiming to explore the zombie genre in a manner never attempted in Bollywood cinema. Ranveer Singh is expected to appear in a completely new avatar for the role.
Creative team and production backing
The screenplay has been penned by Jai Mehta alongside Vishal Kapoor, who previously collaborated with Mehta on "Lootere". The film is being produced by filmmaker Hansal Mehta under his True Story Films banner, alongside Ranveer Singh's Maa Kasam Films, in collaboration with Applause Entertainment.
Clarifying earlier reports
Earlier speculation suggested "Prayal" was a cinematic adaptation of the bestselling novel "Blindness". However, Hansal Mehta denied these claims during a recent media interaction, clarifying the film's original premise. The project has now moved past such speculation and into active pre-production mode.
What's next
With the August 2026 floor date locked and the script finalised, the production is expected to commence principal photography within the next four months. The film marks a significant departure for Ranveer Singh following his work on the "Dhurandhar" franchise, positioning him in a genre-defining zombie thriller.
Point of View
This is a bet on both the zombie genre's box-office potential and Ranveer's ability to anchor a non-franchise tentpole. The August timeline is aggressive but credible, given pre-production is already live. If delivered, 'Prayal' could redefine Bollywood's approach to post-apocalyptic storytelling.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Prayal' and who is directing it?
'Prayal' is a post-apocalyptic zombie thriller directed by Jai Mehta , starring Ranveer Singh . It is a VFX-heavy action film set in a dystopian world, exploring the zombie genre in a manner never attempted in Bollywood cinema.
When will 'Prayal' go on floors?
Production is scheduled to commence in August 2026 . Pre-production is currently underway, with the script locked and the team gearing up for principal photography.
What is the budget for 'Prayal'?
The estimated budget for 'Prayal' is around ₹300 crore , making it one of Bollywood's most expensive zombie thriller projects.
Were there creative differences between Ranveer Singh and director Jai Mehta?
Recent reports claimed creative differences had derailed the project. However, an insider close to the production denied these claims, stating that Ranveer and Jai have been in continuous discussions and have firmly locked the script .
Who is producing 'Prayal'?
The film is being produced by filmmaker Hansal Mehta under True Story Films , alongside Ranveer Singh's Maa Kasam Films , in collaboration with Applause Entertainment .
