The anticipation surrounding Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal’s Love and War is at an all-time high, and it seems like Sanjay Leela Bhansali just upped the ante. The film was already mounted
on a steep estimate of Rs 350 crore, and now, if a Variety India report is to be believed, the budget for the film has surpassed the Rs 400 crore mark.
A source close to the production told the publication, “Bhansali strives for perfection and is not satisfied until every single frame matches his vision. That relentless commitment is what has made him the towering filmmaker he is today. But the repeated production extensions have ballooned the budget.”
“Originally planned at Rs 350 crore, the cost has now climbed to Rs 425 crore, making it the most expensive Bhansali project to date,” the source also added. The report mentioned that this estimate excludes the fees of the three lead stars, who have instead opted for a backend profit-sharing deal. As such, they will receive a payout from the theatrical revenue of the film.
The report further mentioned that while the film’s initial shoot plan was scheduled for 120 days, it has already been extended to 175 days, with major sequences and dances still to be filmed. The delay has added to the film’s cost. While the film is mainly backed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Saregama India stepped in later.
However, the filmmaker has already reportedly recovered Rs 200 crore via selling Love and War’s streaming rights to Netflix for nearly Rs 130 crore and music and satellite rights for about Rs 80 crore. But the source added, “Despite these healthy pre-recoveries, Love and War has gone significantly over budget, which is risky in today’s unpredictable theatrical market. But Bhansali has always been a risk-taker, and the success of his earlier large-scale films has often justified that gamble.”
Love and War has become one of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s costliest projects. Sources close to the production previously revealed to Pinkvilla that one of the primary reasons behind the delay is the sheer scale of Love and War. The film reportedly features expansive aerial action sequences that require heavy visual effects work. Given the complexity of these scenes, the VFX process is expected to be time-consuming.
Some reports claim that another crucial factor influencing the decision is Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming release calendar. His other mega-budget project, Ramayana: Part One, is slated to hit cinemas later this year, placing it dangerously close to Bhansali’s film. However, Hindustan Times recently reported that while Love and War doesn’t have a release date, the team is committed to a 2026 release.
