Malayalam cinema's rising star Kalyani Priyadarshan is poised for a monumental career shift, securing her first major Hindi film project. The actress, currently basking in the phenomenal success of the Dulquer Salmaan-backed epic 'Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra', has been locked to star opposite Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh in an ambitious zombie thriller titled 'Pralay'.
From Malayalam Record-Breaker to Bollywood Debut
Kalyani's leap into Hindi cinema comes on the back of a historic achievement. 'Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra' has shattered records to become the biggest Malayalam hit of all time. Furthermore, the film has earned the distinction of being the second highest-grossing female-led film in Indian cinema history. This success story is set to continue, as 'Lokah' is planned as a five-chapter series, with Kalyani confirmed to feature in all installments.
Her casting in 'Pralay' was first reported by journalist Rahul Raut on his social media platform. For Kalyani, who has predominantly worked in Malayalam films, this project represents her definitive pan-India moment, offering a massive platform to a national audience.
Ranveer Singh's Genre Pivot and 'Pralay's' Grand Scale
For Ranveer Singh, 'Pralay' marks a sharp and exciting departure. The actor is riding an unprecedented wave of success with 'Dhurandhar', which has emerged as one of the biggest box office triumphs in recent memory. After 30 days in theatres, the film has amassed a staggering ₹759.50 crore and shows no signs of slowing down. It is now the highest-grossing Hindi film of all time and the 5th biggest film in Indian cinema history.
In a significant milestone, 'Dhurandhar' has become the 2nd biggest Indian film in North America, a key overseas market, surpassing the collections of Prabhas' 'Kalki 2898 AD'. With 'Dhurandhar 2' already slated for release on 19th March 2026, where it will clash with Yash's 'Toxic', Ranveer is now choosing to explore uncharted territory in mainstream Hindi cinema with the zombie genre.
'Pralay' will be directed by Jai Mehta, son of acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta. The film is described as a high-concept project that ventures into a space rarely touched by Bollywood. The only notable previous attempt at a Hindi zombie film was Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK's cult hit 'Go Goa Gone', whose sequel fans have been demanding for years.
Industry insiders indicate that 'Pralay' is being mounted on a significant budget, with its core relying on extensive VFX (visual effects) and intricate world-building to create a compelling zombie universe for audiences.
A New Chapter for Hindi Cinema and Its Stars
This development signals multiple exciting trends. It highlights the increasing fluidity of talent across India's various film industries, with successful southern actors seamlessly transitioning to Hindi projects. It also underscores Bollywood's growing appetite for experimenting with genres that have global appeal but remain niche domestically.
For Kalyani Priyadarshan, this is a career-defining opportunity to showcase her talent to a much wider demographic. For Ranveer Singh, it is a chance to cement his reputation as a risk-taker who can headline diverse cinematic experiences. The collaboration between a Malayalam sensation and a Bollywood powerhouse, under the vision of a new-generation director, makes 'Pralay' one of the most anticipated upcoming projects in Indian cinema.
The film's success could potentially open the floodgates for more genre-bending, high-concept films in the mainstream Hindi space, moving beyond conventional storytelling formulas.
