Ranveer Singh directed “Pralay” may lose first chance as Kartik Aaryan’s zombie thriller aims for early 2027 release – Report |
After the huge success of ‘Dhurandhar’, Ranveer Singh is gearing up for another ambitious project, ‘Pralay’, a zombie thriller that could be one of Bollywood’s biggest forays into the horror genre. However, before the film reaches the theaters, it may face fierce competition Kartik Aaryanwho is also supposed to be the subject of a zombie thriller under director Vishnuvardhan. With several zombie projects in development, Bollywood seems poised to embrace the genre that has grown in popularity in Hollywood and South Korea.
Kartik Aaryan’s zombie film may beat ‘Pralay’ at the theatres
While the makers of ‘Pralay’ are hoping to introduce the audience to a big zombie show, a Deccan Chronicle report suggests that Kartik Aaryan’s untitled film is moving at a very fast pace. Directed by Vishnuvardhan, the project is expected to continue next month, with the team eyeing an early 2027 release.On the contrary, ‘Pralay’ is said to be expected to wrap up by the end of next year, with the release of its performances later. Industry insiders also believe that Kartik’s film has another advantage: a relatively controlled budget. Ranveer Singh’s ‘Pralay’, which is high-profile, has an exorbitant price tag, raising questions about its commercial appeal.
Ranveer Singh has written the title of the zombie thriller
Directed by Jai Mehta, son of filmmaker Hansal Mehta, ‘Pralay’ is said to be inspired by Nobel Prize-winning Portuguese writer José Saramago’s novel ‘Blindness’. The movie features Ranveer Singh as a soldier who is fighting against a devastating zombie outbreak and is seen as one of the scariest Bollywood movies.Ranveer is not the only one who investigates the undead. Tiger Shroff is also expected to be seen in Ahmed Khan’s untitled zombie drama, while the Telugu blockbuster ‘Zombie Reddy’ is also coming with Teja Sajja and Shanaya Kapoor.
How India slowly discovered zombie stories
While zombies have been a staple of Korean and Hollywood entertainment for years, Indian movies are only experimenting with the genre.One of the early ventures was Raj & DK’s 2013 cult drama ‘Go Goa Gone’, starring Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu and Vir Das. Although the film received mixed reviews during its theatrical run, it slowly built a loyal fan base over the years.Reflecting on the film, Raj Nidimoru shared the above, “We wanted to do something that doesn’t exist in India. We just finished ‘Shore in the City’ and we want to do something different. The idea was also to show the lives of weak people who live like zombies in an exaggerated way. As the dialogue says, ‘India mein bhoot pishach hote hain, yes zombie kahan se aaye?’ We wanted to make a zombie movie for beginners. These days, people ask us about the sequel, but we prefer to leave ‘Goa Gone’ as it is. “
‘Betaal’ tried to expand the brand
The zombie genre returned in 2020 with Netflix’s ‘Betaal’, directed by Nikhil Mahajan and produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. The series revolves around an army that accidentally awakens an undead British soldier. Although its concept and design were praised, many critics felt that it failed to deliver real horror.About directing the series, Mahajan said, “Patrick Graham’s vision and writing were so strong that saying yes was a no-brainer. The biggest challenge wasn’t making Zombies, it was the audience’s awareness of the genre. Zombies have never been a part of Indian pop culture. But younger viewers are consuming more Korean and Western food, so I believe the time has come. “
Can Bollywood make zombie movies popular?
South Korean productions such as ‘Train to Busan’, ‘Peninsula’, ‘Kingdom’ and ‘We’re All Gone’ have reinterpreted zombie tales by combining horror with emotional and social themes. Indian filmmakers are now hoping to do the same.Raj Nidimoru believes that the audience is ready, if the filmmakers give international shows. “From ‘Go Goa Gone’, the audience has seen a lot of things from around the world. If we are making zombie movies today, they have to match the quality of Hollywood and South Korean movies. That’s the real problem.”Mahajan echoed that statement, saying, “Audiences are starting to listen to zombie stories. When superstars return to these films, they naturally reach a wider audience. It’s exactly the kind of upgrade you need. “With Ranveer Singh’s ‘Pralay’, Kartik Aaryan’s zombie thriller, Tiger Shroff’s horror comedy and the sequel to ‘Zombie Reddy’ all in the works, Bollywood’s zombie era may begin. The big question now is which film will be the best of the genre.
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