The official start of filming for the survival thriller Pralay has put Ananya Birla’s newly launched banner, Birla Studios, directly in the spotlight. Starring Ranveer Singh alongside Kalyani Priyadarshan, the project is a notable departure from how new production houses usually enter the market. Instead of playing it safe with tested formulas, remakes, or mid-budget projects, Birla Studios is kicking off its theatrical slate with an ambitious, original apocalyptic drama.
Directed by Jai Mehta—who earned critical acclaim for co-directing hit streaming series like Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story and Lootere—Pralay marks his feature directorial debut. Handing the reins of a large-scale tentpole to a first-time feature filmmaker is a deliberate statement of intent, prioritizing director-led world-building and strong narrative concepts over conventional studio caution.
The production brings together Birla Studios, Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films, and Ranveer Singh’s banner, Maa Kasam Films. Conceived as a high-stakes survival spectacle grounded in personal drama against an impending catastrophe, the film demands intricate technical pre-production and sophisticated visual effects that are rarely attempted on this scale in Indian cinema. For Ranveer Singh, taking on the dual role of lead actor and co-producer in an uncharted genre marks an exciting step into fresh territory.
As shooting kicked off in Mumbai, Ananya Birla highlighted the studio's commitment to backing distinct concepts, championing new storytellers, and turning unconventional narratives into big-screen experiences. The casting of Kalyani Priyadarshan alongside Singh further points to a focus on organic talent over standard casting tropes.
While the ultimate test will lie in the theatrical reception, backing an unproven, large-scale cinematic vision from day one requires genuine conviction. By choosing Pralay as its flagship launchpad, Birla Studios is signalling a clear desire to carve out an identity built on creative risk rather than safe formulas.
