Ranbir Kapoor's 'Love & War' first poster out: SLB film lands 21 Jan 2027
Synopsis
The first poster of Ranbir Kapoor from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Love & War' is here — and it signals a grittier, war-worn avatar than anything the director has attempted before. With the film locking in 21 January 2027 after two date changes, the Ranbir-Alia-Vicky triangle is shaping up to be Bollywood's biggest early-2027 event.
Key Takeaways
Ranbir Kapoor's first official poster from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War was unveiled on 24 September 2026 .
The poster shows Ranbir in a rugged look with a blood-stained sleeve and a bullet mark on his shirt.
The film releases worldwide on 21 January 2027 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu .
Principal shoot is complete; the film has entered post-production .
The release was previously scheduled for Christmas 2025 , then 20 March 2026 , before landing on its current date.
The film marks Ranbir's reunion with Bhansali after Saawariya (2007) and Vicky Kaushal's first collaboration with the director.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-anticipated epic, Love & War, unveiled its first official poster featuring Ranbir Kapoor on Thursday, 24 September 2026, offering audiences their first formal look at the actor in the film. The poster's release confirms the movie's 21 January 2027 worldwide theatrical debut in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
The Poster: Ranbir's Rugged Avatar
The unveiled artwork presents Ranbir Kapoor in a strikingly intense avatar — rugged, with a blood-stained sleeve and a visible bullet mark on his shirt, projecting a battle-hardened aura. His expression is steely and composed, setting a high-stakes tone for the film. The caption on the poster reads: 'Woh rutba, woh raub, woh junoon!' — loosely translating to a declaration of stature, authority, and obsession — unmistakably Bhansali's signature melodramatic flair translated into a single frame.
Where the Film Stands in Production
Love & War has recently wrapped its principal shoot and has now moved into the post-production stage. Given Bhansali's reputation for elaborate visual craftsmanship — as evidenced in films such as Gangubai Kathiawadi and Padmaavat — the post-production phase is expected to be extensive. The film will release worldwide, with a multi-language rollout covering Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu markets.
A Troubled Release Timeline
The road to screens has been anything but smooth for Love & War. The film was originally slated for a Christmas 2025 release, which was pushed back to 20 March 2026, before the makers finally locked in 21 January 2027 as the confirmed date. Such repeated shifts are not uncommon for large-scale Bhansali productions, which are typically subject to the director's exacting standards in both shooting and editing.
Star Cast and Creative Significance
The film reunites Ranbir Kapoor with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali nearly two decades after their debut collaboration, Saawariya in 2007. Alia Bhatt, who previously starred in Bhansali's critically acclaimed Gangubai Kathiawadi, returns to the director's fold, while Vicky Kaushal makes his first-ever collaboration with Bhansali. According to reports, Ranbir and Vicky portray Air Force officers whose lives become deeply entwined with Alia's character — though the production house has kept specific plot and character details tightly guarded ahead of release.
What to Expect Next
With the first poster now public, the promotional machinery for Love & War is expected to gather pace in the coming months, with trailer releases and further character reveals likely before the end of 2026. Given the star power of its lead trio and Bhansali's proven box-office track record, the film is already one of the most commercially anticipated Hindi releases of early 2027.
Point of View
And the production needs to rebuild anticipation fast. Bhansali's pairing of Ranbir, Alia, and Vicky is an unprecedented star confluence, but the Air Force backdrop is a notable departure from his usual period-drama canvas. Whether that genre stretch pays off commercially will be the real story when January 2027 arrives. The two-decade gap between Saawariya and Love & War also reframes the Ranbir-Bhansali arc as a full-circle moment — and the industry will be watching whether this reunion reclaims the critical prestige that Saawariya famously failed to deliver.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does 'Love & War' release in cinemas?
'Love & War' is confirmed for a worldwide theatrical release on 21 January 2027 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. The date was finalised after two earlier release windows — Christmas 2025 and 20 March 2026 — were pushed back.
Who are the lead actors in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Love & War'?
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor , Alia Bhatt , and Vicky Kaushal in the lead roles, with Bhansali directing. Reports indicate Ranbir and Vicky play Air Force officers whose lives become entwined with Alia's character.
What does Ranbir Kapoor's first poster from 'Love & War' look like?
The poster presents Ranbir Kapoor in a rugged, battle-worn avatar with a blood-stained sleeve and a bullet mark on his shirt. The caption reads: 'Woh rutba, woh raub, woh junoon!' — signalling a high-intensity, war-inflected role.
Is 'Love & War' Ranbir Kapoor's first film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali?
No. Ranbir made his Bollywood debut with Bhansali in Saawariya in 2007 . 'Love & War' marks their reunion nearly two decades later. It is, however, Vicky Kaushal's first collaboration with the director.
What is 'Love & War' about?
'Love & War' is described as an epic romantic drama set against the backdrop of war. According to reports, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal play Air Force officers, but the makers have kept the full storyline and character details under wraps ahead of the film's release.
