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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.

Test of Thackeray Legacy

Thackeray Legacy

Mumbai: The Mahim assembly constituency is poised for a thrilling electoral battle, as Amit Thackeray, scion of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), prepares to face off against formidable opponents. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena has nominated Sada Sarvankar, while Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded Mahesh Sawant, setting the stage for a fierce contest.


Amit, 32, has been an active party worker for the last four years. Amit’s entry into politics marks a significant milestone, as he becomes the third member of the extended Thackeray family to contest elections. He will be the second member from the Thackeray family to enter the political fray, after his cousin Aaditya Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Aaditya won the assembly election from the Worli constituency in 2019.


The constituency encompasses the swathe from Prabhadevi to Shivaji Park to Mahim, which houses Sena Bhavan, headquarters of Shiv Sena (UBT).


Mahim’s diverse voter base, comprising upper-class Maharashtrians, cosmopolitan, and minority communities, adds complexity to the contest. The constituency has historically been a Shiv Sena or MNS stronghold since 1990, with the Shiv Sena headquarters located in the area. In 2009, MNS’s Nitin Sardesai emerged victorious in Mahim.


A senior MNS leader said that “Thackeray family has a rich legacy in Maharashtra politics, and it’s exciting to see the next generation taking the reins. Amit Thackeray, son of Raj Thackeray, has been groomed well by his father and has also toured the state independently, showcasing his commitment to politics.’’


The Mahim assembly seat has become a crucial battleground, with Amit Thackeray’s electoral debut and the legacy of the Thackeray family hanging in the balance. The outcome will have significant implications for Maharashtra’s political landscape.


MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar has made a significant appeal to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, requesting that they refrain from fielding a candidate against Amit Thackeray in the Mahim constituency. This appeal is rooted in a sense of family unity and political strategy, as evidenced by Raj Thackeray’s decision not to field a candidate against Aaditya Thackeray in Worli during the 2019 elections .


MNS Chief Raj Thackeray had decided to go in the assembly elections, but they’re still hoping for some strategic backing from the Mahayuti parties, particularly the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, in key Mumbai seats. The goal is to defeat the rival Shiv Sena (UBT). 


Although MNS had previously extended unconditional support to the Mahayuti in the Lok Sabha election, Raj Thackeray even shared the stage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public meeting in Shivaji Park. This alliance could potentially give MNS a boost in the elections.


However, one of the MNS leaders said that they are being optimistic about gaining support from disgruntled BJP voters in constituencies where the local MLAs of the Shinde-led Shiv Sena have fallen out of favour. According to the MNS leader, people’s dissatisfaction with both the ruling Mahayuti and the opposition MVA may drive them to choose the MNS instead. 


“Our expectations of attracting BJP voters may not be entirely far-fetched, considering the party’s ability to tap into regional sentiments and capitalize on local discontent. In the past, the MNS has successfully intervened in issues like the Jet Airways layoff controversy, securing the reinstatement of employees,” he said. 


The MNS has finalised a list of around 175 assembly seats in the 288-member house where it can field its candidates, and the party chief is likely to decide on the final tally, he adds.


“We are counting on informal support from the Shiv Sena and BJP in Bhandup, a constituency where they lack a strong candidate to challenge Ramesh Korgaonkar, now representing the Shiv Sena. This move comes after MNS extended unconditional support to the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance in Maharashtra ahead of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections,” he said.

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