Love & War wrap: Ranbir, Alia, Vicky complete SLB's epic
Synopsis
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has called cut on 'Love & War' — and the wrap signals that one of Bollywood's biggest bets is now racing toward its 21 January 2027 release. With Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal headlining a reportedly war-set epic, SLB is swinging for a scale that could redefine the Republic Day box-office.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Leela Bhansali wrapped principal photography of 'Love & War' on 4 September .
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor , Alia Bhatt , and Vicky Kaushal and is reportedly set against a war backdrop .
It is scheduled to release on 21 January 2027 , targeting the Republic Day long weekend.
The film marks SLB's first collaboration with Vicky Kaushal and reunites him with Ranbir (after 'Saawariya') and Alia (after 'Gangubai Kathiawadi').
The project was officially announced in January 2024 and now enters post-production .
Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has officially wrapped principal photography on his highly anticipated film 'Love & War', starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. The production completion, confirmed on 4 September, marks a significant milestone for one of Bollywood's most eagerly awaited releases, now set to hit screens on 21 January 2027 — a long Republic Day weekend.
A Reunion and a First
'Love & War' carries considerable emotional weight for Bhansali and his cast. The film marks SLB's first-ever collaboration with Vicky Kaushal, while also serving as a reunion with Ranbir Kapoor — who last worked with the director on 'Saawariya' — and Alia Bhatt, who starred in Bhansali's celebrated 'Gangubai Kathiawadi'. The project was officially announced in January 2024, and has since been under intense public scrutiny owing to its star-studded cast and reportedly large-scale budget.
What We Know About the Film
Plot details for 'Love & War' remain largely undisclosed, though the film is reportedly set against a war backdrop. Bhansali, celebrated for his opulent visual grammar and emotionally intense storytelling, is expected to deliver a cinematic spectacle that blends grand scale with intimate human drama. The production now moves into the post-production phase, which will include editing, visual effects, and background score — hallmarks that Bhansali is known to invest heavily in.
Release Date and Box-Office Landscape
The film's 21 January 2027 release date has already drawn industry attention, with reports of a potential clash with other big-budget productions eyeing the same Republic Day window. Such scheduling conflicts have historically triggered speculation about box-office competition and release-date adjustments in Bollywood. Whether rival productions will hold their dates or blink first remains to be seen.
Bhansali's Recent Track Record
Bhansali's last theatrical outing was 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' (2022), which earned widespread critical acclaim and strong box-office returns. He subsequently made his OTT debut with 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' on Netflix, an ensemble period drama featuring Aditi Rao Hydari, Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sonakshi Sinha. Set in the 1940s, 'Heeramandi' explored the lives of courtesans and their patrons against the backdrop of India's freedom struggle. With 'Love & War', Bhansali returns to the big screen with arguably his most high-profile cast yet.
Point of View
One of Bollywood's most bankable real-life couples, with Vicky Kaushal is a casting calculus designed to maximise opening-weekend draws across demographics. But Bhansali's films live or die on execution, not casting alone. The Republic Day slot is a double-edged sword: high footfall potential, but also the highest-stakes clash window in Hindi cinema. If rival productions hold their dates, the box-office arithmetic gets complicated fast. The real question is whether the scale SLB is reportedly deploying can translate into the kind of word-of-mouth that sustained 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' — or whether the weight of expectation becomes its own obstacle.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will 'Love & War' release in cinemas?
'Love & War' is scheduled to release on 21 January 2027, capitalising on the Republic Day long weekend. The date was secured well in advance, though industry reports suggest potential clashes with other big-budget films eyeing the same window.
Who stars in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Love & War'?
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. It marks Bhansali's first collaboration with Vicky Kaushal, while Ranbir and Alia have previously worked with the director on 'Saawariya' and 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' respectively.
What is 'Love & War' about?
Specific plot details remain undisclosed. The film is reportedly set against a war backdrop, with Bhansali expected to combine large-scale visuals with emotionally charged drama — a signature of his filmmaking style.
What did Sanjay Leela Bhansali direct before 'Love & War'?
Bhansali's last theatrical film was 'Gangubai Kathiawadi' (2022), followed by his OTT debut 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' on Netflix, a period drama set during India's freedom struggle in the 1940s.
What stage of production is 'Love & War' currently in?
The film has completed principal photography as of 4 September and has now entered post-production, which will include editing, visual effects, and background score work ahead of its January 2027 release.
