When Sanjay Leela Bhansali announces a film, expectations automatically rise. Lavish sets. Emotional intensity. Grand music. And an uncompromising vision.
But his upcoming epic Love & War is now making headlines for a different reason — delays and a ballooning budget.
Two years after bringing together Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal in one frame, the film is still not complete.
So what exactly happened?
The Shoot That Wouldn’t End
Initially planned as a 120-day schedule, Love & War has already crossed nearly 175 days of shooting. And yet, the film is reportedly not close to wrapping.
Three elaborate song sequences and one crucial dramatic scene are still pending — pushing production forward by another 50 days.
For a filmmaker known for perfectionism, extended schedules are not unusual. But this one appears to have stretched far beyond early projections.
The war sequences in particular are believed to have taken significantly longer than expected, with Bhansali reportedly overseeing every detail to maintain his signature aesthetic scale.
Budget Crosses ₹425 Crore
The numbers tell the bigger story.
Originally mounted on a ₹350 crore budget, the film’s production cost has reportedly climbed to approximately ₹425 crore — and that excludes the remuneration of its three lead stars.
Interestingly, Kapoor, Kaushal, and Bhatt are said to have opted for backend profit-sharing instead of upfront fees. Their earnings will now depend on the film’s theatrical performance — a risky but confident move.
Bhansali has largely self-financed the project, with Saregama India joining at a later stage.
Pre-Release Recoveries Offer Cushion
Despite the soaring budget, the makers have managed to secure substantial non-theatrical deals.
Streaming rights have reportedly been sold to Netflix for around ₹130 crore. Additionally, music and satellite rights have brought in an estimated ₹70–80 crore.
That means over ₹200 crore has already been recovered before the film hits theatres — easing some pressure but not eliminating the risk entirely.
A Love Triangle on a War-Torn Canvas
Described as a period romance set against the backdrop of war, the film revolves around a dramatic rivalry between Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal’s characters over the same woman, played by Alia Bhatt.
Speculation initially linked the narrative to Raj Kapoor’s 1964 classic Sangam, but Bhansali has publicly denied any such inspiration.
Instead, this appears to be an original story — a sweeping emotional saga layered with personal conflict and wartime intensity.
The Bigger Question: Will It Pay Off?
Post-pandemic box office trends have been unpredictable. Big budgets no longer guarantee big returns.
For Love & War to justify its scale, it will need:
- A powerful marketing push
- Strong opening weekend numbers
- Positive word-of-mouth
- Repeat value
The presence of three major Bollywood stars certainly helps. But with rising costs, expectations are equally sky-high.
The film is now targeting an early 2027 theatrical release — giving the team more time for post-production polish.
Final Words
Sanjay Leela Bhansali has built his legacy on grand cinematic risks — and most of the time, they’ve paid off.
Love & War may be facing delays and a swollen budget, but if history has shown anything, it’s that Bhansali rarely thinks small.
The real verdict, however, will come not from production numbers — but from the box office.
And until then, the war behind Love & War continues.
