Hansal Mehta clarifies 'Pralay' is not based on 'Blindness'
What's the story
Acclaimed filmmaker Hansal Mehta recently opened up about his upcoming project, Pralay. The film is a post-apocalyptic thriller starring Ranveer Singh and is directed by Mehta's son Jai in his feature debut. It has long been rumored to be an adaptation of Portuguese Nobel Laureate José Saramago's 1995 novel Blindness. However, Mehta has now clarified that Pralay is an original story and not based on any existing work.
Clarification
Adapting 'Blindness' would be difficult, says Mehta
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, Mehta said, "It's not an adaptation. Jai and Vishal Kapoor have written the original story." He went on to say that adapting a book like Blindness for the screen would be difficult. "I had seen the 2008 film adaptation (starring Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo), and it wasn't great," he added.
Production details
Mehta on his role in the production of 'Pralay'
Mehta also spoke about his role in the production of Pralay. He said, "I am trying to control budgets, reading the script, and giving my inputs where needed. Beyond that, it's very democratic." The film is currently in pre-production with a speculated budget of ₹300 crore and will feature extensive VFX work to create a believable post-apocalyptic world. It is expected to go on floors in mid-2026.
Production collaboration
Joint venture between Jai and Vishal Kapoor
Pralay is a joint venture between Singh's Ma Kasam Films and Mehta's True Story Films. The film's screenplay was written over several months by Jai and Kapoor, before being approved by Singh. "Development is not just about writing. It also includes ideas: how you shape them, how you visualize them, and how you eventually sell them to a third party, to a star or a studio. We've invested in building those ideas," Mehta explained.
Other projects
Mehta's other upcoming projects
Apart from Pralay, Mehta is also working on several other projects. He is set to direct Porbandar, a period crime drama set in Gujarat. He is also finalizing Gandhi, a multi-season series on Mahatma Gandhi's life and times. The series, starring Pratik Gandhi in the lead role, premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and has yet to announce its streaming platform and release date.