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By:

Bharati Dubey

17 May 2026 at 1:38:10 am

After Don-3 controversy, Ranveer’s next film goes on floors

Mumbai: After months of attention surrounding his reported exit from Don 3, Ranveer Singh has finally moved on to his next major cinematic venture. The actor’s ambitious survival spectacle Pralay has officially gone on floors in Mumbai today, marking the beginning of filming on one of the most ambitious and scale-driven projects in Indian cinema. Headlined by Ranveer Singh and directed by Jai Mehta, Pralay is an original end-of-the-world action thriller that promises to take audiences into a...

After Don-3 controversy, Ranveer’s next film goes on floors

Mumbai: After months of attention surrounding his reported exit from Don 3, Ranveer Singh has finally moved on to his next major cinematic venture. The actor’s ambitious survival spectacle Pralay has officially gone on floors in Mumbai today, marking the beginning of filming on one of the most ambitious and scale-driven projects in Indian cinema. Headlined by Ranveer Singh and directed by Jai Mehta, Pralay is an original end-of-the-world action thriller that promises to take audiences into a world on the brink of annihilation. Produced by Ananya Birla’s Birla Studios, Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films, and Maa Kasam Films, the film combines large-scale spectacle with a deeply human story of survival, courage and the instinct to fight for what matters most. The film marks Ranveer’s next major motion picture following Dhurandhar and Dhurandhar – The Revenge, which emerged as the highest-grossing film of all time. With Pralay, the actor once again ventures into unexplored cinematic territory, taking on a disruptive new concept that demands both physical intensity and emotional conviction. Ranveer will also serve as a producer on the film. The project comes at an important point in the actor’s career. His reported exit from Don 3 had generated considerable buzz, particularly as he was expected to carry forward one of Indian cinema’s most iconic franchises. With Pralay, Ranveer now turns the page with an entirely original story rather than stepping into another established universe. Joining him is Lokah breakout actress Kalyani Priyadarshan, who plays a pivotal role in the film and brings together another exciting performer from the new generation of Indian talent. For Ananya Birla, Pralay represents Birla Studios’ ambition to push the boundaries of mainstream Indian cinema by collaborating with contemporary creative forces. For True Story Films’ Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal, the project reflects their commitment to disruptive storytelling and content-driven cinema. Behind the camera, Jai Mehta leads the ambitious project. His work on Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, which he co-directed with Hansal Mehta, and Lootere has earned widespread acclaim. With Pralay, he steps into a significantly larger canvas, bringing together an ensemble of creative and technical talent from India and around the world. Set against the unmistakable pulse and landscape of Mumbai, Pralay follows a relentless journey of survival against the terrifying possibility of an end-of-the-world catastrophe. The film aims to marry breathtaking spectacle with an emotional core, exploring what people are willing to do to survive when the world as they know it begins to collapse. The makers are shooting extensively at live locations in and around Mumbai, embracing the physicality and unpredictability of real-world environments. The approach is designed to add scale, texture and realism to the apocalyptic world while creating an immersive theatrical experience. The film had already undergone several months of highly technical and intensive pre-production before cameras began rolling. Its ambitious mounting and unusual premise have made Pralay one of the most talked-about upcoming projects in Indian cinema.

Diwali: The Festival of Lights, Sweets, and Blockbusters

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated across India with immense enthusiasm, signifying the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Streets and homes are decorated with diyas (earthen lamps) and vibrant rangolis, creating an atmosphere brimming with positivity. Families come together, exchanging sweets, wearing new clothes, and performing rituals to welcome prosperity. Diwali is also a time for people to unwind and enjoy, embracing joy and togetherness. For many, this festive season isn’t complete without one more essential element: Bollywood blockbusters.


Over the decades, Bollywood has become an integral part of Diwali celebrations. Big production houses often reserve their biggest releases for the Diwali weekend, drawing moviegoers in droves. This trend began in the era of single-screen theatres, where crowds would queue up hours in advance to watch their favourite stars on the big screen. For Bollywood fans, a Diwali release has traditionally been a must-watch, with films echoing the season’s spirit of joy, love, and hope.


Since the 1990s, Shah Rukh Khan, popularly known as the “King of Bollywood,” has dominated Diwali releases. His movies have become synonymous with the festival. In 1993, Baazigar launched him into superstardom, cementing Diwali as a lucky time for his releases. This was followed by an incredible streak with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000), Veer-Zaara (2004), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Don (2006), Om Shanti Om (2007), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), and Happy New Year (2014) – all of which were embraced by audiences with open arms. These films became monumental Diwali hits, offering audiences the perfect blend of romance, drama, and music.


But Shah Rukh was not alone in owning the Diwali box office.. comedy franchises like Golmaal and Housefull became consistent Diwali favourites, promising laughter and light-hearted entertainment. The appeal of these Diwali releases lay in their ‘masala’ formula—a mix of romance, action, comedy, and music. Families flocked to theatres, making these films part of their celebrations, and movie houses saw packed halls, with the joyous sounds of clapping and cheering filling the air. Bollywood became an extension of the Diwali festivities, bringing people together for an immersive experience that complemented the festival’s vibrancy.


However, with the rise of streaming platforms, the trend has shifted. Since 2021, Diwali releases have struggled to draw audiences to theatres as strongly as before. Many people now prefer to enjoy the festival from the comfort of their homes, tuning into OTT platforms for entertainment. Despite this shift, filmmakers continue to bet big on Diwali releases, hoping to recreate the magic of past blockbusters. This Diwali, audiences can look forward to Singham Again, a highly anticipated action-packed addition to the successful Singham franchise. Directed by Rohit Shetty, Singham Again boasts a star-studded cast, including Ajay Devgn, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Jackie Shroff. Known for its unique mix of action and comedy, the Singham series is expected to bring the excitement back to theatres, and it’s set to be one of the most-watched films this Diwali.


Another big release this year is Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, the latest in the horror-comedy franchise that first captured audiences in 2007. With Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 being a resounding success in 2022, there’s significant buzz around this instalment, with audiences eagerly awaiting its spine-chilling and humorous antics. Other releases include Lucky Bhaskar, starring Dulquer Salmaan, which explores the mysterious journey of a banker in the 1980s, and Amaran, a Tamil biopic based on the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan, an Indian Army hero.


As Diwali draws near, moviegoers are eagerly looking forward to this lineup, especially Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. While the cinema-going experience has evolved, the excitement around Bollywood’s Diwali offerings remains a testament to the festival's spirit—a time to celebrate, revel, and share happiness. Diwali, the festival of lights, continues to illuminate the lives of millions, whether through traditional diyas or the glitz and glamour of Bollywood.


(The author is a communication professional. Views personal.)

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