Kartik Aaryan’s Zombie Film May Beat Ranveer’s ‘Pralay’

Kartik Aaryan’s Zombie Film May Beat Ranveer’s ‘Pralay’ to Theatres

Ranveer Singh’s much-anticipated zombie thriller “Pralay” could lose its first-mover edge in Bollywood’s emerging horror wave. Reports suggest Kartik Aaryan’s untitled zombie project, helmed by director Vishnuvardhan, is moving at a faster pace and may hit screens earlier in 2027, well ahead of Singh’s film.

Production Timelines Favor Kartik Aaryan

While Aaryan’s film is expected to begin shooting soon on a relatively modest budget, “Pralay” is still in production and isn’t likely to wrap until late next year. Directed by debutant Jai Mehta, “Pralay” draws inspiration from Nobel laureate José Saramago’s novel “Blindness” and is being built as a large-scale spectacle, which has driven up its costs and pushed its timeline further out.

The two aren’t the only stars entering undead territory. Tiger Shroff is attached to a zombie comedy directed by Ahmed Khan, and the Telugu hit “Zombie Reddy” is getting a sequel featuring Teja Sajja and Shanaya Kapoor.

A Genre Still Finding Its Footing in India

Zombie storytelling has taken time to catch on in Indian cinema. Raj and DK’s 2013 comedy “Go Goa Gone” is often credited as the genre’s breakout moment, gaining a cult following despite a lukewarm box office run. Netflix’s 2020 series “Betaal” tried to push things further with a more serious tone but had mixed reception from critics.

Filmmakers behind those projects believe the audience appetite has grown since, shaped by years of exposure to Korean hits like “Train to Busan” and “Kingdom.” With several big-budget zombie films now lined up, industry watchers say Bollywood may finally be ready to make the genre mainstream — the open question is which film gets there first.