Bollywood
Ranveer Singh Personally Convinced Kalyani Priyadarshan for Pralay; The Dhurandhar Star and Lokah Actress Join Forces for an Epic Saga
BY CHRISTA LINCY
In a massive casting development that has sent ripples through the trade circuit, Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh has reportedly played a pivotal role in securing the female lead for his upcoming magnum opus, Pralay. According to a report by Mid-day, Ranveer Singh personally reached out to and convinced South sensation Kalyani Priyadarshan to come on board for the film. The Film which is slated to be directed by Jai Mehta, is conceptualized as a post-apocalyptic zombie thriller and Ranveer reportedly believed that Kalyani was well-suited for the specific character requirements envisioned by the director. Reports suggest that Kalyani was initially hesitant to make her much-anticipated Hindi debut in a niche genre like a post-apocalyptic zombie thriller. However, Ranveer Singh, who is doubling as the film's producer, was convinced that her acting depth was essential for the project. Taking charge as the producer, Ranveer reportedly took the initiative to personally ring the actress and speak with her directly. During the call, he spent considerable time detailing the script's vision and the ambitious scale of the production, successfully addressing her concerns and making her agree to join the ambitious venture. The collaboration comes at a time when both actors are enjoying the peak of their professional careers. Ranveer Singh is currently basking in the unprecedented, record-breaking success of Dhurandhar, which has been on a historic rampage at the box office. As of mid-January 2026, Dhurandhar has already crossed the staggering ₹1,200 crore mark worldwide, cementing Ranveer's position as the most bankable star in the country today. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Kalyani Priyadarshan's inclusion in the project is being viewed as a strategic masterstroke, given her recent fresh success with the film Lokah. Released during the high-stakes 2025 window, Lokah emerged as a major commercial winner, particularly in the South and overseas markets.Lokah showcased Kalyani's massive draw among urban audiences, concluding its theatrical run with a solid worldwide collection of ₹303.86 crore. With pre-production currently moving at a swift pace, Pralay is expected to officially go on floors in April 2026. This high-concept project is already being hailed as a landmark collaboration that could redefine the post-apocalyptic genre in Indian cinema.