Ranbir Kapoor's 'Love & War' first look out; Alia Bhatt says 'Hey Handsome'
Synopsis
Ranbir Kapoor's rugged, bullet-marked first look from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Love & War' is here — and Alia Bhatt's 'Hey Handsome' caption did the internet's work for it. With the film now locked for 21 January 2027 after two release-date shifts, this poster drop is the clearest signal yet that one of Bollywood's most-watched productions is finally on its way.
Key Takeaways
The first-look poster of Ranbir Kapoor from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Love & War' was released on 24 September 2026 .
Alia Bhatt shared the poster on Instagram with the caption 'Hey Handsome..
Love & War in cinemas, January 21, 2027.' Vicky Kaushal also shared the poster, writing 'Love.
And everything in between.' The film's release has been shifted twice — from Christmas 2025 to March 2026 , and now to 21 January 2027 . 'Love & War' marks Ranbir Kapoor's first collaboration with Bhansali since his debut film 'Saawariya' in 2007 .
The film will release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu .
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's highly anticipated drama 'Love & War' generated fresh buzz on Thursday, 24 September 2026, as the makers dropped actor Ranbir Kapoor's first-look poster — and his wife and co-star Alia Bhatt was among the first to cheer him on. Sharing the poster on her official Instagram handle, Alia captioned it with a playful 'Hey Handsome.. Love & War in cinemas, January 21, 2027.' The film is now confirmed for a 21 January 2027 release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
The First-Look Poster
The poster presents Ranbir Kapoor in a rugged, intense avatar — seated inside a car, wearing a serious expression, with a blood-stained sleeve and a visible bullet mark on his shirt. The imagery signals a high-stakes, action-inflected role, a notable contrast to some of Ranbir's recent screen appearances. The makers accompanied the poster release with a caption that read, 'Woh rutba, woh raub, woh junoon!' — underscoring the dramatic register Bhansali is going for.
Co-Stars Join the Celebration
Vicky Kaushal, the film's other lead, also shared the poster and wrote on his social media account: 'Love. War. And everything in between. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War See you on 21.01.2027.' For Kaushal, this marks his first major professional collaboration with Bhansali, making it a significant milestone in his career. Alia, meanwhile, previously worked with the director on the acclaimed 2022 biopic 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'.
A Long Road to Release
'Love & War' has had a notably turbulent journey to screens. The project was originally announced for a Christmas 2025 release, before being pushed to 20 March 2026. The latest revision now sets 21 January 2027 as the confirmed date. Despite the delays, audience anticipation has remained high, partly driven by the star power of the lead trio and Bhansali's track record of visually extravagant productions.
Ranbir and Bhansali: A Reunion 20 Years in the Making
This marks the first time Ranbir Kapoor has worked with Sanjay Leela Bhansali since his Bollywood debut 'Saawariya' in 2007 — a reunion that has itself been a talking point since the film was announced. The project brings together three of Hindi cinema's most-watched names under one of the industry's most celebrated directors, setting up what could be one of the biggest theatrical events of early 2027.
Point of View
And yet each delay has only amplified curiosity — a testament to the commercial weight Bhansali, Ranbir, Alia, and Kaushal collectively carry. The blood-stained, bullet-marked poster is a deliberate tonal signal: this is not a traditional Bhansali romance but something grittier. Whether that represents a genuine directorial evolution or a marketing calibration ahead of a crowded January 2027 release corridor will only become clear closer to the date. The real story here is the reunion angle — Ranbir and Bhansali have not shared a frame since 'Saawariya' bombed in 2007, and how that long arc resolves will be one of Hindi cinema's more closely watched narratives.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does 'Love & War' release in cinemas?
'Love & War' is confirmed for a 21 January 2027 release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. The date was finalised after two previous release shifts — from Christmas 2025 and then from March 2026.
What does Ranbir Kapoor's first-look poster show?
The poster shows Ranbir Kapoor in a rugged, intense look, seated inside a car with a blood-stained sleeve and a bullet mark on his shirt, conveying a high-stakes, action-inflected character.
What did Alia Bhatt say about Ranbir Kapoor's first look?
Alia Bhatt shared the poster on her Instagram handle with the caption 'Hey Handsome.. Love & War in cinemas, January 21, 2027,' offering a warm and playful reaction to her husband's debut look from the film.
Is this Ranbir Kapoor's first film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
No, it is their reunion after nearly two decades. Ranbir Kapoor made his Bollywood debut with Bhansali's 'Saawariya' in 2007. 'Love & War' marks the first time they have worked together since.
What is Vicky Kaushal's connection to 'Love & War'?
'Love & War' is Vicky Kaushal's first major professional collaboration with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Kaushal shared the poster with the message 'Love. War. And everything in between.'
