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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.

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25 pc

RBI policy stability boosts real estate sentiment

Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% has been widely welcomed by stakeholders across the real estate sector, who view the move as a stabilising factor at a time when India’s growth outlook has strengthened following the Union Budget’s emphasis on infrastructure spending and improving external trade prospects. Industry leaders believe that policy continuity will help sustain housing demand, reinforce investment sentiment and provide greater visibility on borrowing costs, even as inflationary pressures remain under close watch.


The central bank’s steady stance comes against the backdrop of accelerating infrastructure-led development and expectations of stronger economic growth. Developers and consultants said the unchanged rate environment is likely to support project execution, maintain consumer confidence and enhance predictability in financing decisions across residential and commercial segments.


Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said, “The RBI’s decision to hold rates steady, reflects a cautious and stability focused stance in a volatile global environment. As the economic growth outlook remains stable and maintain momentum, we can expect this overall growth to have a positive impact on the real estate sector. The pause underscores the central bank’s priority on managing currency pressures and external risks.”


He added that while further rate cuts could have provided an additional boost to homebuyer sentiment, particularly in affordable housing, banks are expected to pass on more of the existing rate benefits to consumers. He also welcomed the easing of lending norms for REITs, stating, “RBI’s decision to permit bank lending to REITs is a welcome step for the sector’s evolving funding ecosystem… The move reinforces regulatory confidence in listed real estate vehicles and should strengthen liquidity and depth in India’s real estate investment market.”


Echoing similar sentiments, Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra, said, “The RBI’s decision to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% provides much-needed stability to the real estate sector at a time when growth expectations have strengthened following the Union Budget’s thrust on higher government spending and improving external trade prospects after recent trade agreements.” He added that policy continuity would help sustain housing demand and enable developers to plan investments with greater confidence.


Kaushal Agarwal, Chairman, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory, said, “The RBI’s status quo on interest rates comes at an opportune time, as the Union Budget’s increased government spending and improving trade outlook have lifted expectations of faster economic growth.” According to him, stable interest rates will play a crucial role in sustaining homebuyer sentiment and investment activity, reinforcing real estate’s appeal as a long-term asset class.


Kamlesh Thakur, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Srishti Group, noted, “The RBI’s decision to maintain status quo on interest rates reflects a well-calibrated approach to balancing inflation control with economic momentum.” He added that stable financing costs and an improved GDP outlook are encouraging for urban housing demand, particularly in infrastructure-driven corridors.


Shilpin Tater, Managing Director, Superb Realty, said, “The RBI’s neutral stance and steady repo rate of 5.25% reinforce confidence across the real estate ecosystem,” adding that continued government-led capital expenditure is expected to keep demand for quality commercial and residential assets resilient.


Shraddha Kedia-Agarwal, Director, Transcon Developers, said, “The decision to maintain status quo on policy rates is reassuring for both homebuyers and developers,” noting that stable borrowing costs and an improved growth outlook would help sustain residential demand, particularly in metropolitan markets.


Dhruman Shah, Promoter, Ariha Group, observed, “The RBI’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% reflects confidence in the Indian economy’s underlying strength and a pragmatic approach to sustaining growth,” highlighting sustained buyer confidence and healthy sales momentum in urban markets.


Nihar Jayesh Thakkar, Founder, The Mandate House Pvt. Ltd., added, “The RBI’s steady policy stance underscores a careful calibration between growth support and inflation management,” stating that improved macro visibility and infrastructure spending are likely to boost commercial and investment-driven real estate transactions over the medium term.


Industry stakeholders believe that while inflation risks remain a key monitorable factor for policymakers, the current policy continuity provides a stable platform for sustained growth in India’s real estate sector, supported by infrastructure expansion, fiscal stimulus and improving economic fundamentals.


“RBI’s decision to permit bank lending to REITs is a welcome step for the sector’s evolving funding ecosystem. Indian REITs, with approximately USD 27 bn of AUM across office and retail segments, have historically relied on capital market issuances and sponsor-backed financing, and access to bank credit will serve as an additional funding avenue that diversifies the liability stack and enhances refinancing flexibility. The move reinforces regulatory confidence in listed real estate vehicles and should strengthen liquidity and depth in India’s real estate investment market.”

Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India


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