Love and War budget EXPLODES to Rs 425 crore, shoot stretches to 175 days, no clarity on release date

Love & War has officially entered the big league of Indian cinema budgets. What began as an already massive Rs 350 crore project has now reportedly crossed Rs 425 crore, making it the most expensive film ever mounted by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

With Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal leading the cast, the scale was always expected to be grand. What few anticipated was just how grand it would become.

Budget Soars Past Rs 425 Crore

According to industry reports, the film’s cost has climbed by nearly Rs 75 crore over its initial estimate. The primary reason is Bhansali’s uncompromising vision. Known for his obsession with visual detail, elaborate sets and extended shooting schedules, the director reportedly continues refining scenes until they match his imagination perfectly.

The shoot was originally planned for around 120 days. It has now stretched to approximately 175 days, with several large scale sequences and song shoots still pending. Each additional day on a Bhansali set means more resources, more technicians and more time invested in achieving cinematic perfection.

Interestingly, the Rs 425 crore figure does not include the acting fees of the three leads. Instead of charging upfront remuneration, Alia, Ranbir and Vicky have opted for a backend profit sharing model. Their earnings will come from theatrical revenue, a move that reduces immediate production cost pressure while tying their success directly to box office performance.

Bhansali’s Biggest Gamble Yet

This escalation officially makes Love and War the costliest production of Bhansali’s career. For a filmmaker already known for opulence, that is saying something.

In today’s unpredictable theatrical landscape, spending over Rs 400 crore on a single film is no small gamble. Audience preferences shift quickly and box office trends remain volatile. Yet Bhansali has built his reputation on ambitious bets. His past blockbusters have often justified the risk, turning grandeur into commercial triumph.

Still, the stakes are undeniably high. The film needs a strong theatrical run to justify such an enormous outlay. Every delay and added shooting day increases the pressure for a blockbuster level performance.

Early Recovery Through Rights Sales

Despite the ballooning budget, there is a financial cushion. Reports suggest that Bhansali has already recovered around Rs 200 crore through early rights deals.

Streaming rights have reportedly been sold to Netflix for nearly Rs 130 crore. In addition, music and satellite rights have fetched approximately Rs 80 crore. These pre release recoveries significantly reduce immediate financial exposure.

However, recovering half the cost is only part of the story. The remaining investment will depend heavily on theatrical collections both domestically and overseas. Given the scale, expectations will naturally be sky high.

Ranbir Kapoor Confirms Delay

Amid speculation about a possible postponement, Ranbir Kapoor has now addressed the situation publicly. During a live session marking the first anniversary of his lifestyle brand ARKS, the actor confirmed that Love and War has indeed been delayed.

While the team has not locked an official release date yet, the target remains sometime in 2026. Ranbir also clarified that his other major project, Ramayana Part One, will arrive first. That film is currently scheduled for an October 2026 release.

With Ramayana Part One taking the earlier slot, trade chatter suggests that Love and War may aim for a late 2026 window, possibly December, depending on how quickly shooting and post production are wrapped up.

For now, Love and War stands as a headline grabbing spectacle even before its first trailer has dropped. A Rs 425 crore budget, an extended shoot, profit sharing stars and a delayed timeline have all combined to make it one of the most closely watched projects in Indian cinema.

Whether Bhansali’s grand gamble turns into another historic triumph will only be known when the curtains finally rise. Until then, the numbers alone are enough to keep the industry buzzing.