Love & War update: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal prep for intense trio song as Sanjay Leela Bhansali breaks his period-drama mould
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War (Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal) begins song shoots on January 20. The modern war romance features experimental dances and a Sicily schedule.
Last Updated: 10.14 AM, Jan 17, 2026
The next epic, Love & War, is already in the last stages of production, and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has huge musical numbers set to feature the main cast. As per the latest report, next week, filming will pick back up in Mumbai for the production, which features Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. The focus will be on large-scale dance routines that will highlight the story.
Who is choreographing the song sequence in Love & War?
Industry insiders have confirmed to Mid Day that Ganesh Acharya will be choreographing the first of the two planned songs. All three principal actors are slated to deliver a high-octane performance in the sequence. To accommodate the filmmaker's distinctive visual approach, the set construction at Film City, Goregaon, has already progressed to the final phases.
The song is high-energy, dramatic, and visually opulent, as one would expect from a Bhansali production, according to an insider who divulged the upcoming schedule. On January 20, the three main characters will begin filming in Film City, Goregaon.
How is the cast preparing for the demanding shoot of Love & War?
According to reports, the cast has been in full-on practice mode for the last few days to master the technically demanding choreography by Acharya and the exacting framing by Bhansali.
Production on the second song sequence will feature a radical change in style, starting on February 9. The filmmaker teamed up with seasoned choreographer Shiamak Davar for this piece. This track is characterised as an experimental and modern set piece, in contrast to Bhansali's earlier works, Gangubai Kathiawadi and Bajirao Mastani, which frequently had traditional folk or classical inspirations.
What makes Sanjay Leela Bhansali's collaboration with Shiamak Davar unique?
"It is unlike anything Bhansali has attempted before. It’s experimental in form, movement, and staging, with Shiamak bringing a theatrical energy to the sequence," remarked a unit insider, emphasising the rarity of the partnership.
An ostensibly modern triangle love story, Love & War takes place in the midst of a conflict. This project is anticipated to be a "new language" for Bhansali, who is known for his period dramas. It would revolve around a more modern setting while maintaining the emotional depth of his previous romance films.
Which actors are reuniting with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Love & War?
Rumours suggest that Bhatt's role challenges Kapoor and Kaushal, as they portray army officers who fall in love with each other. The filmmaker had collaborated with Kapoor on his debut film Saawariya (2007) and with Bhatt on the highly praised Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022); thus, this is a big reunion for him.
Several changes to the film's release date have occurred after its announcement. After shifting its release date from 2025 to 2026, the film will finally hit theatres on August 14, 2026, which is right around the corner from the Independence Day holiday weekend.
When will the filming for Love & War complete?
It is anticipated that the production will proceed to foreign places after the completion of the Mumbai song dates in February. There have been rumblings that the Sicily region of Italy may play host to a significant chunk of the film's conclusion. After more than 125 days of filming, the plan is to push the completion of the war sequences' high-gloss post-production and visual effects to mid-2026.
Love & War FAQs:
Q: What is the release date for Love & War?
A: Love & War is officially scheduled to hit cinemas on August 14, 2026. The film was originally planned for a Christmas 2025 release but was pushed to the Independence Day 2026 weekend to accommodate an intensive 125-day shoot and extensive VFX work.
Q: Who are the lead actors in Love & War?
A: Love & War features a "power trio" of top Bollywood stars: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. It marks Ranbir Kapoor’s reunion with Bhansali nearly 20 years after his debut in Saawariya and Alia Bhatt’s second collaboration with the director after Gangubai Kathiawadi.
Q: Is Love & War a remake of Sangam?
A: While the plot—revolving around two army officers whose friendship is tested by their love for the same woman—shares themes with the 1964 classic Sangam, the director has clarified that Love & War is an original contemporary story and not a remake.