Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, the high-budget period drama faces delay due to budget tweaks; now aiming for mid-2026 release.
April 23, 2025: Love And War Likely to Miss Eid 2026 Release, Will Avoid Clash with Yash’s Toxic
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ambitious directorial Love And War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, is now officially running behind schedule and will no longer release on Eid 2026 as previously planned. This move also helps the film avert a high-profile box office clash with Yash’s much-anticipated actioner Toxic.
Also Read: ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’ Actor Dies at 36, Reportedly by Suicide
According to an exclusive update from Bollywood Hungama, the production timeline for Love And War has shifted due to internal delays. “The shoot began on time, but there were hold-ups from Bhansali’s end. The film was initially set to wrap by November 2025, but the current plan is to finish by February 2026,” a trade source revealed.
The delay is attributed mainly to budgeting adjustments. Bhansali, who is self-financing the period epic, reportedly paused production briefly to reorganize funds and ensure the film’s scale meets expectations. “It’s a lavish period film, and getting the budget right was crucial. SLB has now secured the required funding and is set to resume the shoot after a two-month delay,” the source added.
A new release date has not yet been finalized, but the film is now aiming for a mid-2026 release window. This also ensures it won’t compete directly with Toxic, which is expected to be one of the biggest releases of Eid 2026.
The film has been making waves ever since it was announced, with fans excited about the reunion of Bhansali and Alia Bhatt after Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Ranbir Kapoor returning to the director’s fold after Saawariya.
Tags:
Love And War delayed, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ranbir Kapoor Love And War, Alia Bhatt Bhansali film, Vicky Kaushal Love And War, Toxic vs Love And War, Eid 2026 releases, Bollywood box office clash, Bollywood release date updates, period film Bollywood 2026, SLB Love And War production update, Bhansali budget issues