Love & War: Sanjay Leela Bhansali orders major reshoots for Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal film; costs skyrocket to ₹425 crore

There has been a major setback in the production of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's much-anticipated film starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. Love & War has been officially delayed indefinitely, according to sources close to the production. The original release date was August 2026. Significant reshoots of key scenes and the subsequent increase in the film's already enormous production expense are the main reasons given for this change.

Why did Sanjay Leela Bhansali decide to revisit already filmed scenes?

Bhansali has a long list of accolades that attest to his skill in creating visually striking, immersive worlds and his obsession with detail. According to an IANS report, the filmmaker decided to go back to the sets and reshoot some important scenes since he was unhappy with the initial cuts.

His "uncompromising vision" for the movie is the reason behind this choice, according to an industry insider. Bhansali scrutinises every frame meticulously. Regardless of the logistical hurdles, he will not hesitate to recreate a scene if it doesn't match the emotional or visual scale he envisioned, according to the insider. Complex set reconstructions and re-coordination of the lead actors' demanding schedules are involved in these reshoots, which are not only cosmetic.

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How has the decision to reshoot impacted Love & War's overall budget?

The budget for the project has taken a severe hit due to the choice to cut many scenes. Love & War was already in the midst of its production, which is described as having a "jaw-dropping scale," with early budget estimates around ₹350 crore. Nevertheless, according to industry experts, the production cost has surpassed ₹425 crore due to the inclusion of additional shooting days and longer post-production needs.

Although the lead actors—Kapoor, Bhatt, and Kaushal—are said to have chosen a profit-sharing scheme to assist with the initial outlay, the logistical and technical expenditures of the reshoots are still considerable.

What has Ranbir Kapoor revealed about the revised timeline and his other commitments?

During a recent Instagram Live session, Kapoor addressed the increasing speculation and admitted that fans might be in for a lengthier wait than anticipated. He mentioned that the film is now expected to be released in the latter half of this year or possibly even in 2027, even though August 2026 was originally the plan. Kapoor stated that a more accommodating schedule is required due to the magnitude of his present obligations, which encompass Nitesh Tiwari's legendary epic Ramayana, among others. 

Love & War is generally thought to be a modern tribute to the 1964 classic Sangam, which featured Kapoor's grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor, alongside Vyjayanthimala and Rajendra Kumar. The actor shared that grand projects like Ramayana and Love & War take a little longer to finish due to their ambitious vision. He added that he remains confident that the final product will justify the extended wait. There will likely be a complicated love triangle at the centre of this high-stakes romantic drama.

Why does Love & War continue to generate high levels of public interest?

The fact that the epic is the first time Kapoor and Bhatt will appear onscreen together under Bhansali's direction since their respective debuts—Kapoor in Saawariya and Bhatt's partnership in Gangubai Kathiawadi—explains why the film's popularity hasn't diminished despite the setbacks.

The industry and the audience are eagerly anticipating the new official release date, as the makers have yet to confirm it.