The release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-awaited period
epic Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky
Kaushal, is reportedly facing another delay. Initially scheduled for a
Christmas 2025 release, the film was later postponed to March 20, 2026.
However, as per a report by The Hollywood Reporter India, the film may
now miss even this revised date.
Sources familiar with the production stated that a
large-scale war sequence — one of the key highlights of the film — is yet to be
shot and will only be filmed in November 2025. Given the extensive
post-production work that Bhansali’s films are known for, the team may not be
able to meet the March 2026 release deadline.
“After the sequence is filmed, which promises to be of an
epic scale involving Vicky and Ranbir, the team aims to wrap up by January
2026. It will be impossible for Love & War to finish post-production
and come on the big screen two months later in March,” a source was quoted as
saying.
If delayed, this will mark the second rescheduling of the
film, which was officially announced in January 2024. The initial announcement
included signatures from all three lead actors and was shared on social media
with the caption, “We Bring You Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Epic Saga Love &
War. See You At The Movies Christmas 2025.”
The delay may also help Bhansali’s film avoid a box office
clash with Yash’s upcoming action fantasy Toxic: A Fairy Tale for
Grown-Ups, which is currently slated for release on March 19, 2026.
About the Film
The storyline of Love & War remains under wraps.
However, it is expected to be a romantic and war-time drama mounted on a grand
scale, in line with Bhansali’s cinematic vision. The project marks:
- Ranbir
Kapoor’s second collaboration with Bhansali, after his debut in Saawariya
(2007),
- Alia
Bhatt’s second film with the director after Gangubai Kathiawadi
(2022), for which she received the National Award for Best Actress,
- Vicky
Kaushal’s first project with the filmmaker.
Speaking earlier this year about the film, Ranbir Kapoor
said,
“I haven’t met a human being who understands characters,
emotions, music, and Indian culture like Bhansali. To be on his set is tiring
and the process is daunting, but it is also artistically satisfying.”
While there is no official confirmation yet from the
production house regarding the revised release date, an announcement is
expected once the war sequence is completed and post-production timelines are
clearer.