# Ranveer Singh Begins Shooting Post-Apocalyptic Thriller in Mumbai URL: https://technosports.co.in/ranveer-singh-begins-shooting-post/ Published: 2026-08-16 Updated: 2026-08-16 Author: Reetam Bodhak When was the last time Ranveer Singh traded his signature swagger for a post-apocalyptic wasteland? Until this week, the answer was never. His filmography spans period dramas, sports biopics, and high-voltage masala — a survival thriller set in a collapsed world was uncharted territory. That changed on Sunday, August 16, 2026, when Singh began principal photography on *Pralay* in Mumbai. The film marks his first collaboration with director Aditya Dhar, the filmmaker behind *Uri: The Surgical Strike*. Jio Studios is backing the project alongside producer Lokesh Dhar, and Deepika Padukone has been cast opposite Singh — their first on-screen pairing since *83*. ![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/rasbnbvvv.jpg) ## The Catalyst: Cameras Roll in Mumbai The shoot kicked off on location in Mumbai, with the city doubling for the film’s post-apocalyptic setting. Production is expected to run through the remainder of 2026, with distributors tentatively eyeing a mid-2027 theatrical release. For Aditya Dhar, *Pralay* represents a genre pivot. The director built his reputation on grounded military action, but a post-apocalyptic thriller demands scale, VFX-heavy set pieces, and world-building of a different order. Reports suggest the script underwent multiple drafts before Singh signed on — a sign of the ambition baked into the project. Deepika Padukone’s casting adds another layer. The actress has been selective with her projects since *Jawan* and *Fighter*, and her decision to board *Pralay* signals confidence in the material. It also reunites her with Singh professionally — the couple married in 2018 and last shared screen space in *83* (2021). ## The After: What This Means for Bollywood’s Genre Play *Pralay* arrives at a moment when Indian cinema is chasing spectacle. A-list stars have leaned into high-concept genre films, and a post-apocalyptic thriller backed by Jio Studios is a direct bet on that appetite. The stakes are visible in the contrast: | Before | After | | --- | --- | | Singh’s biggest hits: *Gully Boy*, *Padmaavat*, *Simmba* | *Pralay*: survival thriller, no songs, no romance beats | | Aditya Dhar known for *Uri*‘s tactical realism | VFX-heavy world-building, dystopian Mumbai | | Deepika-Ranveer last paired in *83* (2021) | First reunion in five years, in a genre neither has touched | | Jio Studios’ portfolio: OTT-first content | Theatrical tentpole with a mid-2027 release window | "ranveer Singh": The risk is real. Post-apocalyptic films have historically underperformed in India unless backed by franchise familiarity. But Dhar’s track record — *Uri* grossed over ₹342 crore worldwide — gives the project credibility. Jio Studios, meanwhile, has the theatrical distribution muscle to open wide. That combination of proven director and deep-pocketed studio is why industry watchers are treating *Pralay* as a serious contender rather than a vanity project. ## What’s Next: A Long Road to Mid-2027 Principal photography in Mumbai is just the first leg. Expect additional schedules across India and possibly overseas locations through early 2027, followed by extensive post-production for the VFX-heavy sequences. A mid-2027 release would put *Pralay* in direct competition with summer blockbusters — a deliberate positioning by distributors who believe in the film’s commercial ceiling. The production pipeline here mirrors the kind of studio discipline that industry analysts at [MIT Technology Review](https://www.technologyreview.com) have flagged as the new normal for tentpole filmmaking. For fans tracking the project, the next milestones are the first-look poster and a teaser, likely timed to Singh’s promotional calendar. He has Marvel’s *X-Men Begins* chatter and *Lioness Season Roars* buzz in parallel, but *Pralay* is his biggest solo swing since this project entered development. With Deepika opposite him and Aditya Dhar behind the camera, this is the rare Bollywood project where every element — star, director, studio, genre — is firing in a new direction. If you want a genre-bending spectacle with star power and a director who’s yet to miss, *Pralay* is the one to track. If you prefer grounded military action, wait for Dhar’s next after this. ## Related Articles - [Pralay: Ranveer Singh's Zombie Thriller Finally Rolls Cameras in Mumbai](https://technosports.co.in/pralay-ranveer-singhs-zombie-thriller/) - [Ranveer Singh](https://technosports.co.in/tag/ranveer-singh/) - [Marvel's X-Men Reboot Sets May 2028 Release Date — MCU's Mutant Era…](https://technosports.co.in/marvels-x-men-reboot-sets-may-2028-release-date/) --- ## FAQs **When did Ranveer Singh begin shooting for Pralay?** Ranveer Singh began principal photography for *Pralay* on Sunday, August 16, 2026, with the shoot taking place on location in Mumbai. **Who is directing Pralay?** Aditya Dhar, known for *Uri: The Surgical Strike*, is directing *Pralay*. It marks his first collaboration with Ranveer Singh. **Is Deepika Padukone in Pralay?** Yes, Deepika Padukone has been cast opposite Ranveer Singh in the post-apocalyptic thriller. It’s their first on-screen pairing since *83* (2021). **When is Pralay releasing in theatres?** Distributors have tentatively scheduled the theatrical release for mid-2027, following an extensive production and post-production period. **Which studio is backing Pralay?** Jio Studios is backing the post-apocalyptic project *Pralay* alongside producer Lokesh Dhar.