The highly anticipated Bollywood film 'Love & War', directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has encountered another significant delay, pushing its release plans further into 2026. The film, which marks the first on-screen collaboration of stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, is now facing an extended shooting schedule and a postponed release window.
Shooting Schedule Extended, Eid Release Missed
According to recent reports, the production of 'Love & War' has been substantially prolonged. The makers, who initially targeted a big Eid 2026 release, are now set to miss that coveted festive slot. The shooting schedule has been officially extended until May 2026, as confirmed by industry sources. This means the lead actors—Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal—have had to block their calendars entirely until that month, leading to delays in their other professional commitments.
The film's journey has been marked by postponements since its inception. Shooting commenced in November 2024, originally eyeing a December 2025 premiere. However, the project has consistently fallen behind its planned timelines, contributing to increased production budgets and logistical challenges.
New Release Window & Ramayana Clash Concerns
With the Eid 2026 date now impossible, speculation about a June 2026 release has also been scrapped. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently working towards bringing his magnum opus to theatres in the latter part of the year. The new target release window is now August or September 2026, with a final announcement on the exact date expected soon.
This delay has created a ripple effect in the industry, particularly for another mega-project. Ranbir Kapoor is also set to play Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari's mythological epic 'Ramayana: Part One', slated for a Diwali 2026 release. The 'Ramayana' team was reportedly hoping for a clear gap of at least six months between the two major films to avoid a clash of audience attention and box office potential. The tightening schedule for 'Love & War' has reportedly caused some disappointment among them.
What's Next for Love & War?
Despite the setbacks, anticipation for the film remains sky-high. The buzz in the industry suggests that the official release date for 'Love & War', along with the first official looks of the three lead actors, will be unveiled in January. This announcement is eagerly awaited by fans and trade analysts alike, as it will finally provide a concrete timeline for Bhansali's next cinematic spectacle.
The film represents a major event in Indian cinema, uniting three of the industry's most bankable and critically acclaimed stars under the direction of a filmmaker known for his visual grandeur and intense storytelling. The extended shooting period, while causing delays, also hints at the scale and detail Bhansali is investing in this 'historical drama'. All eyes will now be on the official confirmation in January as 'Love & War' slowly marches towards its eventual big-screen arrival.
