Key Highlights

  • Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War unveiled Vicky Kaushal's two character posters on 26 September, completing a three-day lead-cast reveal after Ranbir Kapoor (24 September) and Alia Bhatt (25 September).
  • The film is set for a worldwide release on 21 January 2027, a Thursday, ahead of the Republic Day weekend.
  • The film was first announced for Christmas 2025, then moved to March 2026, before being shifted again due to production delays.
  • According to The NE Times, which cited other outlets, the shoot wrapped after nearly two years and the film is now in post-production.
  • Love & War marks Vicky Kaushal's first film with Bhansali. Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt have both worked with the director before.

The makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War released Vicky Kaushal's character posters on Saturday. That completes a three-day reveal of the film's lead cast. It also reaffirms a release date the film has taken more than a year to settle on.

The new posters

Two posters of Kaushal's character were released on Saturday. In one, he is lighting a cigarette. In the other, he sits in a pool of water holding flowers. Ranbir Kapoor's look was released on 24 September and Alia Bhatt's on 25 September. All three posters carry the same date: 21 January 2027.

The caption on the second poster read: "Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali – Truly a tick off the bucket list for me!" IANS reported that the makers wrote it. The first-person wording suggests it may reflect Kaushal's own words. [JOURNALIST: confirm on Instagram which account posted this before attributing it to Vicky.]

A release date that moved twice

The January 2027 date is not new. The Hollywood Reporter India reported in April that the makers had announced a worldwide release on January 21, 2027, ahead of the Republic Day weekend. The same report noted that the film was originally announced for a Christmas 2025 release, was later pushed to March 2026, and was shifted again owing to production delays. IBTimes India separately reported that March 20, 2026 was the previously announced date.

The film has since moved out of the shooting stage. According to The NE Times, which cited Bollywood Hungama, India Today and Filmfare, Love & War completed shooting after a production stretch of nearly two years and is now moving into post-production. The Week reported that principal photography officially wrapped in early September 2026. 

Why a Thursday?

By the calendar, 21 January 2027 falls on a Thursday, and Republic Day follows on Tuesday, 26 January. Media reports have described this as a deliberate choice. M9 News reported that the Thursday release is designed to give the film a long opening run, since Republic Day falls on the following Tuesday. The makers have not publicly explained the choice.

Reunions and a first collaboration

The film brings Bhansali back together with two actors he has directed before. Kapoor made his debut in Bhansali's Saawariya (2007), and Bhatt played the title role in Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). For Kaushal, it is his first collaboration with Bhansali. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter India, the film is produced by Bhansali Productions and Jio Studios and will release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. In an earlier interview with the publication, Bhansali had denied rumours that the film is a modern-day adaptation of Raj Kapoor's Sangam (1964). 

What happens next

The makers have not officially announced a teaser or trailer date. The Week has reported that the teaser is expected during Diwali in November 2026, and that it may be attached to theatrical prints of Ramayana: Part 1, with the full trailer expected in December 2026. These plans have not been confirmed by the production.

With inputs from IANS.