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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.

Nepal’s Constitutional Amendments: A Debate on Reform and Stability

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

Nepal’s Constitutional

Nepal’s current political debate centres on the ruling coalition’s call for constitutional amendments. Led by the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), the government argues that revisions to the constitution are necessary to address political and governance challenges. The amendments they propose include changes to the electoral system, tweaking the federal structure, and revisiting the nation’s secular status. They claim these reforms will lead to more inclusivity and stability in the long run.


On the other hand, the opposition, including several smaller parties, remains wary of such reforms. They argue that opening up the constitution to major changes could cause more harm than good, especially given Nepal’s complex political and ethnic landscape. There is a strong concern that amending the constitution without broad consensus could lead to political unrest and social division.


Key Amendment Issues

The debate over constitutional amendments revolves around three key issues:

Electoral System: There are calls to shift toward a more proportional representation system to ensure that smaller political parties and under-represented groups have a stronger voice in the political process. Currently, Nepal uses a mixed system, with some seats elected directly and others proportionally. The amendment would increase the number of proportionally elected representatives, giving smaller parties and marginalised groups more power. This change could bring more inclusivity, but critics also warn that it might further fragment an already divided political landscape.


Federalism: Nepal transitioned to a federal system in 2015, with the hope of decentralising power and promoting regional autonomy. However, challenges remain in balancing the power between the central government and the provinces. The proposed amendments aim to address these issues by altering the distribution of powers between the central and provincial governments to decentralise authority more effectively, empower regions, and address local governance issues. This would benefit provincial governments and historically under-represented regions, but it could also lead to conflicts over resource distribution and central control, especially in wealthier or politically dominant provinces. However, critics argue that such changes could destabilise the current system and weaken regional governance.


Secularism: Nepal has declared itself a secular state in its 2015 constitution, but this has been a topic of ongoing debate. Some groups, particularly those aligned with Hinduism, feel that secularism undermines the country’s religious heritage. While the current government has said that it’s not seeking to overturn secularism, there are discussions about refining the way secularism is addressed in the constitution to better reflect Nepal’s religious heritage, particularly its strong Hindu identity. While the state would remain secular, the changes might afford greater acknowledgement of Hindu traditions.


Challenges of Amending the Constitution

Amending a constitution is no small feat, especially in a country like Nepal, where political transitions have often been fragile. One of the main risks of making changes to the constitution is the possibility of increased political instability. The current constitution is only nine years old, and many fear that opening it up to amendments could lead to further fragmentation of the political landscape. Additionally, there are concerns about how these amendments could affect Nepal’s ethnic and regional balance. The federal structure, in particular, has been a sensitive issue since its implementation, and any changes to it could lead to discontent among certain provinces or ethnic groups.


Involvement of External Players: China’s Influence

Nepal’s geopolitical position between India and China means that any political or constitutional shift in the country attracts international attention. China, in particular, has been expanding its influence in Nepal over recent years, both economically and politically. Some analysts believe that the ruling parties’ push for constitutional reforms is also motivated by their desire to maintain a better relationship with China. As China continues to invest heavily in Nepal through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), there is concern that China’s involvement could subtly influence the direction of Nepal’s internal political decisions, including amendments to the constitution.


The debate over amending Nepal’s constitution highlights the delicate balance between reform and stability. While there are clear opportunities for addressing political challenges and improving governance, there is also the risk of destabilising the fragile peace that has been built over the past decade. Nepal’s leaders must tread carefully, ensuring that any changes are made with broad consensus and careful consideration of the nation’s complex political and ethnic fabric.


For India, watching these developments closely is essential, as Nepal’s stability and progress directly affect the region. Constitutional reform is a big change, and it must be handled with extreme caution to avoid unintended consequences.


(The author is an expert in foreign affairs. Views personal.)

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