Ranveer Singh’s film shoot sparks cricket ground row

Ranveer Singh’s upcoming film Pralay has landed in controversy after its shooting at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan reportedly disrupted scheduled junior cricket matches. The decision to use the cricket ground as a filming location has raised concerns among officials of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), who questioned the permission granted to the film’s production team.

The Maharashtra government’s Sports Department reportedly allowed the makers of Pralay to use Azad Maidan for a six-hour shooting schedule. However, the filming arrangements clashed with Under-14 and Under-16 interschool cricket tournaments, creating difficulties for young players and organisers.

The controversy gained attention after the production team began preparing the ground for filming. Large sets were reportedly installed, while artificial grass was also laid to create the required setting for the movie. These arrangements raised concerns because Azad Maidan is primarily used for cricket matches, training sessions and other sporting activities.

MCA Apex Council member Nadim Memon strongly criticised the decision, expressing disappointment over the use of an important cricket venue for a commercial film project. He pointed out that such a move was unusual and could affect the interests of young cricketers.

Memon said that this was the first time a film shoot had taken place at Azad Maidan. He also questioned why a cricket ground was being used for commercial filming when it served as an important training space for aspiring players.

According to Memon, Azad Maidan is not designed to function as a film-shooting location. Instead, it provides young cricketers with an opportunity to develop their skills and work towards representing their teams at higher levels, including international cricket.

He further expressed concern that the ongoing tournaments had been affected by the production schedule. The disruption reportedly forced the association to postpone several matches, affecting players who had been preparing to participate in the competitions.

Memon also questioned who would take responsibility for the inconvenience caused to the players and the potential financial losses resulting from the interruption. He argued that the decision was difficult to understand, particularly when sporting activities should receive priority at such venues.

Criticising the Sports Department, the MCA official said that authorities should focus on supporting sporting activities rather than allowing commercial bookings that interfere with tournaments and training programmes.

The incident has also raised broader questions about the management of public sports facilities and the balance between commercial activities and sporting commitments. Cricket grounds such as Azad Maidan play an important role in providing opportunities to young athletes, making their availability essential for regular competitions and practice sessions.

Meanwhile, Pralay is preparing to bring Ranveer Singh into the zombie genre with a story set in a dystopian city facing a devastating outbreak. The upcoming project is expected to feature large-scale production work and an unusual setting, marking a different direction in the actor’s film career.

The film marks the feature directorial debut of Jai Mehta, while Vishal Kapoor has co-written the screenplay. Its storyline revolves around a world struggling to survive a zombie outbreak, offering a darker and more intense cinematic experience.

Although the production has attracted attention because of its ambitious concept, the controversy surrounding the Azad Maidan shoot has shifted some of the focus towards the impact of filmmaking activities on local sporting events.

The dispute has highlighted the importance of ensuring that commercial projects do not disrupt opportunities for young athletes, particularly at established sporting venues used for regular competitions.