Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been grabbing headlines for his OTT debut, ‘Heeramandi’ on Netflix. The show has captivated audiences worldwide, topping streaming charts with its grandeur, music, acting performances, and visuals, fulfilling a vision the filmmaker has nurtured for over a decade.
However, even as ‘Heeramandi’ continues to draw viewers, Bhansali has already announced his next theatrical project, ‘Love & War,’ featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.
'Love & War' brings Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor together in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film for the second time and introduces Vicky Kaushal into Bhansali's cinematic universe. The film, announced several months ago, has kept fans curious about what Bhansali has in store.
Bhansali has finally provided some insights, describing the film as a triangular love story—a genre that has been largely absent from Hindi cinema for some time. Unlike his recent period dramas, ‘Love & War’ promises a contemporary setting, offering a fresh take on a classic theme.
In a conversation with Variety, Bhansali shared that ‘Love & War’ contrasts sharply with his recent projects. “It’s a love story that I’m making after a long time. A slightly contemporary work, different from the dances, pillars, architecture, drapes, curtains, and jewellery [of Heeramandi]. It’s a new language, milieu, and ambience for me,” he explained. Bhansali emphasized the need for a new creative challenge, highlighting the film's modern setting and unique characters.
Bhansali expressed excitement about collaborating with Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal. “It’s nice to work with this wonderful cast of Ranbir, Vicky, and Alia. It’ll be nice to see how their chemistry works. And [it is] a triangular love story, which has not come in Hindi cinema for a long time. So let’s see how it all shapes up,” Bhansali added.
As per reports, the movie is set against the backdrop of a war and will have a very contemporary touch to it. Reports earlier had said that Bhansali aspires to pay homage to the iconic film Sangam, which was directed by Raj Kapoor. The film's release is slated for December 25, 2025.