Ranveer Singh & Alia Bhatt To Collaborate Once Again For Zombie Thriller Pralay? Here's What We Know

Ranveer Singh is reportedly shifting attention from Don 3 to Jai Mehta's zombie thriller Pralay, with Alia Bhatt emerging as the top choice for the main female role. If the talks go through, Ranveer and Alia are expected to share screen space for a third time after Gully Boy and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The buzz follows the strong box-office run of Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar's spy thriller led by Ranveer. Industry reports suggest that, after Dhurandhar, Ranveer was expected to start Farhan Akhtar's Don 3. However, Ranveer has reportedly stepped away from the crime thriller, clearing space in the schedule for Pralay.

Alia Bhatt Ranveer Singh Pralay casting buzz and character details

According to a report in Mid-Day, Jai Mehta has identified Alia Bhatt as the preferred choice for Pralay's central female character. Industry insiders claimed the part is crucial to the screenplay and goes beyond a conventional romantic interest opposite Ranveer, placing the character at the heart of the film's moral and emotional conflicts.

Sharing details about the character and casting thinking, a source told Mid-Day, "The female lead is central to the narrative. She isn't introduced as a love interest. She challenges the hero's ideas in a collapsing world. Who could wield that power better than Bhatt? She brings credibility. In a film this experimental, you need powerhouses and actors the audience's trust," a source said.

Alia Bhatt Ranveer Singh Pralay plot setting and zombie thriller backdrop

Pralay is reportedly being shaped as a survival drama set in a devastated, near-apocalyptic Mumbai. The story is said to unfold after a catastrophic outbreak, where daily life collapses and characters must make difficult choices. Zombies are present in the plot, but the narrative reportedly centres on human behaviour under extreme pressure.

The same Mid-Day source described the world of Pralay as deeply unforgiving. "The world [of Pralay] is harsh, resources are scarce, and every character is pushed to moral breaking points. This is not a glossy zombie film," the source added. The creative team is reportedly keen to keep the tone gritty and grounded rather than stylised.

Formal talks with Alia Bhatt had reportedly not begun by late December 2025. However, makers are said to be keen to open discussions in January. With Ranveer already inclined towards Pralay, the project could move quickly once casting for the principal female role is locked, given the importance of this part in the script.

Ranveer and Alia have earlier worked together on two major films. Their first collaboration was Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy, followed by Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Both films drew attention to their on-screen chemistry, which is likely one reason the team is considering reuniting the pair for a high-stakes zombie thriller.

Separately, both actors have busy individual line-ups. Ranveer recently headlined Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, where Ranveer played a spy. Alia, meanwhile, is working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Love & War, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. The film is scheduled for a 2026 release, adding to Alia's growing list of large-scale projects.

Actor	Recent / Upcoming Project	Director	Release Year
Ranveer Singh	Dhurandhar	Aditya Dhar	2025
Ranveer Singh	Pralay (reported)	Jai Mehta	Not announced
Alia Bhatt	Love & War	Sanjay Leela Bhansali	2026

With Dhurandhar completed and Don 3 reportedly off Ranveer's slate, industry attention is now on Pralay and whether Alia formally comes on board. The project, set in a ravaged Mumbai with a strong survival drama core, is drawing curiosity as both stars and makers weigh schedules, script demands, and casting decisions in early 2026.