In a major calendar shake-up reported late last night (Jan 19), it appears that the much-anticipated 'Love & War'—starring the dream trio of Ranbir, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal—is officially moving out of 2026.
Here is the breakdown of the "Calendar Shift" that has the industry buzzing today.
The Shift: From 2026 to 2027 🗓️
Originally eyeing a Christmas 2026 release, Love & War is now reportedly targeting Republic Day (January) or Valentine’s Day (February) 2027.
The Reason: According to insiders, a significant portion of the shoot is still pending. The team expects to wrap principal photography only by June 2026.
The Scale: The film features massive aerial action sequences (yes, it’s a war movie too!) that require extensive VFX work, which Bhansali refuses to rush.
The "Ramayana" Factor 🏹
The biggest driver of this decision is purely strategic.
The Clash: Ranbir’s other magnum opus, 'Ramayana: Part One' (directed by Nitesh Tiwari), is locked for Diwali 2026 (November).
The Logic: Releasing two heavy-duty, VFX-loaded Ranbir Kapoor films within two months (Nov & Dec 2026) would be box-office suicide.
The Solution: By moving Love & War to early 2027, makers ensure a clean, solo run for Ramayana, allowing Ranbir to dominate the box office for months.
Team Denial?
While leading trade portals confirmed the delay yesterday, a few sources close to Bhansali Productions have issued a soft denial, claiming "No official date has been changed yet."
The Reality: In Bollywood, "No official change" usually means "We haven't printed the new poster yet." The delay seems inevitable given the shooting timeline.
SantaBanta Verdict: It’s a smart move. Let 2026 be the year of the Maryada Purushottam. Let 2027 be the year of Love and War. Ranbir Kapoor is playing the long game!