After the huge success of ‘Dhurandhar’, Ranveer Singh is gearing up for another ambitious project, ‘Pralay’, a zombie thriller that will be one of Bollywood’s biggest experiments in the horror genre. However, before the film hits theaters, it may face stiff competition from: Kartik Aaryanwho is also set to headline a zombie-based entertainer under director Vishnuvardhan. With several zombie projects now in development, Bollywood seems ready to embrace a genre that has long flourished in Hollywood and South Korea.
Kartik Aaryan’s zombie film may beat ‘Pralay’ in theatres
While the makers of ‘Pralay’ are hoping to introduce the audience to a massive zombie scene, a report in Deccan Chronicle suggests that Kartik Aaryan’s untitled film is going fast. Directed by Vishnuvardhan, the project is expected to go on floors next month, with the team eyeing an early 2027 release.On the contrary, ‘Pralay’ is reportedly expected to wrap production only by the end of next year, making its theatrical release later. Industry insiders also believe that Kartik’s film has another advantage. a relatively controlled budget. Ranveer Singh’s ‘Pralay’, which was mounted on a larger scale, carried a much higher production cost, raising questions about its commercial prospects.
Ranveer Singh headlines an ambitious zombie thriller
Directed by debutant Jai Mehta, son of filmmaker Hansal Mehta, ‘Pralay’ is said to be inspired by Portuguese Nobel Prize-winning author José Saramago’s novel ‘Blindness’. The film features Ranveer Singh as a crusader fighting a devastating zombie outbreak and is set to be one of Bollywood’s most ambitious horror projects.Ranveer is not alone in exploring the undead. Tiger Shroff is also set to appear in Ahmed Khan’s untitled zombie comedy, while Telugu blockbuster ‘Zombie Reddy’ will return with a sequel starring Teja Sajja and Shanaya Kapoor.
How India is slowly discovering zombie stories
Although zombies have been a staple of Korean and Hollywood entertainment for years, Indian cinema has rarely experimented with 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 a mixed response during its theatrical run, it slowly built a loyal fan base over the years.Reflecting on the film, Raj Nidimoru shared with the aforementioned publication, “We wanted to do something that was not in India. We had just finished ‘Shor sa Ciudad’ and wanted to do something completely different. The idea is also to mirror the lives of lazy people who live like zombies in an exaggerated way. As the dialogue says, ‘India mein bhoot pishach hote hain, yeh zombie kahan se aaye?’ We want to make a zombie film for beginners. Now, people are asking us about a sequel, but we prefer ‘Go Goa Gone’ to remain what it is.
‘Betaal’ tried to expand the genre
The zombie genre is back 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 unit that accidentally awakens undead British soldiers. While the concept and production design received appreciation, many critics felt it fell short of delivering true horror.Speaking 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 was not making zombies. It was the audience’s unfamiliarity with the genre. Zombies have never been a part of mainstream pop culture in India. But young viewers are always consuming Korean and Western content, so I’m optimistic that the timing is finally right.
Can Bollywood make zombie films mainstream?
South Korean productions such as ‘Train to Busan’, ‘Peninsula’, ‘Kingdom’ and ‘All of Us Are Dead’ redefined zombie storytelling by combining horror with emotional narratives and social themes. Indian filmmakers are now hoping to achieve the same feat.Raj Nidimoru believes that the audience is ready, if the filmmakers deliver world-class execution. “Since ‘Go Goa Gone’, audiences have been watching more international content. When we make zombie films today, they have to match the production quality of Hollywood and South Korean cinema. That’s the real challenge.”Mahajan echoed the sentiment, saying, “The audience is gradually warming up to zombie stories. When top stars return these films, they naturally reach a larger audience. That’s exactly the boost the genre needs. “With Ranveer Singh’s ‘Pralay’, Kartik Aaryan’s upcoming zombie thriller, Tiger Shroff’s horror comedy and the sequel to ‘Zombie Reddy’ all in the pipeline, Bollywood’s zombie era may finally be taking shape. The biggest question now is which film will be the blockbuster of the genre.