After Dhurandhar’s Rs 890 Crore Triumph, Ranveer Singh Bets Big on His Most Expensive Solo Film ‘Pralay’

In an industry where Box office credibility defines longevity, Ranveer Singh has once again demonstrated why he remains one of Hindi cinema’s most bankable and risk-taking stars. Following the unprecedented success of Dhurandhar, which reportedly crossed Rs 890 crore at the Indian box office, the actor is now preparing to headline what is being described as the most expensive solo project of his career — the ambitious zombie apocalypse thriller Pralay.

trade analysts note that if Dhurandhar had not been strategically divided into two installments, it would have comfortably ranked as Ranveer’s most expensive film to date. Instead, the actor’s upcoming venture Pralay now claims that distinction, signaling a bold new phase in his career choices.

Dhurandhar’s Record-Breaking Success and the Sequel Momentum

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar emerged as a landmark historical spy thriller, setting new benchmarks in theatrical collections. Its sequel, Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, is slated for release on March 19 and is widely expected within trade circles to challenge — and possibly surpass — the original film’s earnings.

Industry insiders confirm that the combined production cost of both parts exceeded Rs 500 crore. However, since the narrative was split into two films, each installment is estimated to have been mounted on a budget of approximately Rs 250–300 crore. This strategic division helped manage financial exposure while maximizing long-term franchise value.

From Dhurandhar to Pralay: A Genre Shift with Massive Stakes

While Dhurandhar cemented Ranveer’s dominance in large-scale historical action dramas, Pralay marks a dramatic genre shift. The film is a high-concept zombie apocalypse thriller set in a post-apocalyptic Mumbai — a setting rarely explored at such scale in mainstream Hindi cinema.

Ranveer will share screen space with Malayalam actress Kalyani Priyadarshan, who gained pan-India attention with her vampire thriller Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Her inclusion adds cross-industry appeal, reflecting Bollywood’s growing trend of collaborative casting.

Pralay is being co-produced by Hansal Mehta and Sameer Nair’s Applause Entertainment, with Jai Mehta making his feature film directorial debut. Jai previously co-directed critically acclaimed digital series such as Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (SonyLIV) and Lootere (JioHotstar), projects that earned both critical praise and strong viewership metrics.

Rs 300+ Crore Budget: Why Pralay Is Ranveer’s Costliest Solo Film

According to industry reports, Pralay is being mounted on a staggering budget exceeding Rs 300 crore. The scale is justified by its heavy reliance on advanced visual effects, large-scale action choreography, and detailed production design required to recreate a convincingly devastated Mumbai.

Sources close to the development suggest that Pralay will also be Ranveer Singh’s first major project under his own banner, Maa Kasam Films. This move reflects a strategic expansion of his creative control and entrepreneurial footprint in the film industry.

Given the box office momentum generated by Dhurandhar, trade experts believe recovering such a massive investment is not unrealistic. The actor’s proven ability to draw audiences across multiplexes and single screens strengthens the project’s commercial outlook.

Clarity on Don Exit and Upcoming Timeline

Amid ongoing speculation about Ranveer’s association with Farhan Akhtar’s upcoming Don installment, insiders indicate that Pralay is likely to go on floors this year. The scheduling aligns with the current ambiguity surrounding his participation in the mafia drama franchise.

Ranveer Singh’s History with Big-Budget Cinema

Long before Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh consistently headlined high-budget tentpole films. His 2018 period epic Padmaavat, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and backed by Viacom18 Studios, was mounted on an estimated Rs 215 crore budget and went on to become a blockbuster.

In 2021, the sports drama 83, produced by Reliance Entertainment, Phantom Films, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Kabir Khan Films, and KA Films, carried a production cost of around Rs 270 crore. Though impacted by pandemic-era restrictions, it showcased Ranveer’s willingness to shoulder ambitious projects.

Other significant big-ticket ventures include Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani (2015), Rohit Shetty’s Cirkus (2022), and Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), each produced within the Rs 100–200 crore range.

Conclusion: A High-Risk, High-Reward Career Move

With Pralay, Ranveer Singh is not merely scaling budgets — he is expanding genre boundaries within mainstream Hindi cinema. By blending star power, large-scale production values, and a globally popular zombie narrative format, the actor is positioning himself at the forefront of Bollywood’s next commercial experiment.

If Dhurandhar proved his box office strength, Pralay will test his ability to redefine spectacle-driven storytelling. Either way, this calculated gamble underscores why Ranveer Singh remains one of the most strategically daring stars of his generation.