After the huge success of ‘Dhurandhar’, Ranveer Singh Preparations are on for yet another ambitious project, ‘Pralay’, a zombie thriller that could become one of the biggest experiments in the horror genre in Bollywood. However, before the film is released, it may already face stiff competition from theaters. Kartik Aaryanhe will also star in a zombie entertainer under director Vishnuvardhan. With multiple zombie projects in development, Bollywood seems ready to embrace the genre that has long been popular in Hollywood and South Korea.
Kartik Aaryan’s zombie movie could beat ‘Pralay’
While the makers of “Pralay” hope to introduce audiences to a massive zombie spectacle, a report in Deccan Chronicle suggests that Kartik Aaryan’s untitled film is progressing at a much faster pace. The project, directed by Vishnuvardhan, is expected to go on floors next month and the team plans to release it in early 2027.By comparison, “Pralay” is reportedly not expected to wrap production until late next year, giving it a much later theatrical release. Industry insiders also believe that Kartik’s film has another advantage: its budget is relatively controllable. Ranveer Singh’s Pralay is bigger but much more expensive to make, raising questions about its commercial prospects.
Ranveer Singh to star in ambitious zombie thriller
Directed by Jai Mehta, son of filmmaker Hansal Mehta, “Pralay” is said to be inspired by the novel “Blindness” by Portuguese Nobel Prize-winning author José Saramago. Starring Ranveer Singh as a crusader fighting a devastating zombie outbreak, the film is pitched as one of Bollywood’s most ambitious horror films.Ranveer isn’t the only one exploring the undead. Tiger Shroff will also star in Ahmed Khan’s untitled zombie comedy, while Telugu blockbuster Zombie Reddy is also set to return with a sequel starring Teja Saja and Shanaya Kapoor.
The story of how India slowly discovered zombies
Although zombies have been a staple of Korean and Hollywood entertainment for years, Indian films have only occasionally ventured into the genre.One of the earliest mainstream attempts was Raj & DK’s 2013 cult comedy Go Goa Gone, starring Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Kemmu and Vir Das. While the film received mixed reactions during its release, it gradually built a loyal fan base over the years.Looking back on the film, Raj Nidimoru shared with the above-mentioned publication, “We wanted to do something that doesn’t exist in India. We had just finished Shor in the City and wanted to make something completely different. The idea was also to reflect in an exaggerated way the lives of slackers who live zombie-like lives. As the conversation goes, “India mein bhoot pishach hote hain, yeh Zombie kahan se aaye?” We wanted to make a zombie movie for starters. Today, people ask us about a sequel, but we’d rather keep Go Goa Gone as it is. “
“Betaal” attempts to expand the genre
The zombie theme returned in 2020 with Netflix’s Betaal, directed by Nikhil Mahajan and produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. The show revolves around an army unit that accidentally awakens undead British soldiers. While its concept and production design were appreciated, many critics felt that it failed to deliver true horror.When talking about directing the show, Mahajan said: “Patrick Graham’s vision and writing ability are so strong that he said yes without hesitation. The biggest challenge was not making zombies, but the audience’s unfamiliarity with the genre. Zombies have never been part of mainstream Indian pop culture. But young audiences often consume Korean and Western content, so I’m optimistic that the time is finally right. “
Can Bollywood make zombie movies mainstream?
Korean productions such as “Train to Busan,” “Peninsula,” “Kingdom” and “We Are Dead” combine horror with emotional narratives and social themes to redefine zombie storytelling. Indian filmmakers are now hoping for a similar breakthrough.Raj Nidimoru believes that audiences are ready as long as filmmakers can deliver world-class execution. “Since Go Goa Gone, audiences have watched a lot of international content. If we make zombie movies today, they have to match the production quality of Hollywood and Korean movies. That’s the real challenge.”Mahajan echoed the same sentiment, saying, “Audiences are gradually becoming interested in zombie stories. When top stars back these films, they naturally attract a wider audience. It was just the push the genre needed. “With Ranveer Singh’s Pralay, Kartik Aaryan’s upcoming zombie thriller, Tiger Shroff’s horror comedy and a sequel to Zombie Reddy in the works, Bollywood’s zombie era may finally be taking shape. The big question now is which film will become the genre’s defining blockbuster.
