Two of Ranbir Kapoor’s ambitious projects, Ramayana, and Love & War, are in production simultaneously. While the superstar is busy filming Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s romantic drama, his absence hasn’t impacted Nitesh Tiwari’s mythological drama. With the actor having completed most of his portions late last year, we’ve heard that Tiwari is now shooting certain sequences with Kapoor’s body double.

A production insider tells us, “Ranbir has completed almost all his crucial scenes for the first instalment of Ramayana; only patchwork is remaining, which can be managed without him. Since his dates were assigned to Love & War, Ramayana’s production team planned the shoot in such a way that there are no delays. Right now, a few minor sequences are being filmed with a body double, after which it will be a wrap on the first edition.”

Tiwari has envisioned Ramayana, which also stars Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana and Sunny Deol as Hanuman, as a two-part offering. If things go as planned, the second part will roll in May. The source adds, “It is a VFX-heavy film, and a lot of work is being done in post-production. Nitesh will dedicate the next few months to that. The second instalment is likely to roll in the summer, with Ranbir expected to join by June.”

Touted as one of the biggest films of Indian cinema, Ramayana’s first part is slated to release in Diwali 2026, and the second in Diwali 2027. Mid-day reached out to producer Namit  Malhotra, who didn’t respond till press time.

A crucial shooting leg of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s coveted drama, Love And War, commenced at Film City yesterday with the three leading stars, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, in attendance. An insider tells mid-day that the talky portions of the film that will be shot in this schedule are designed to be emotionally intense and integral to the narrative.

“There was a break for a few days, but we started filming in full swing. Till January 11, key scenes will be shot. Bhansali has been known for his ability to craft dialogue-heavy sequences that resonate deeply with the audience. This film will be no different. The conversations between Ranbir, Alia, and Vicky will be confrontational and will challenge their characters,” says the insider.

While work on the film began in November 2024, the team will begin filming in full swing this month, we’re told. Bhansali intends to wrap it by mid-2025.

Ranbir Kapoor had a lot of updates on his upcoming projects, and he was eager to share them at the ongoing Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).

Speaking about the much-anticipated sequel to Animal (2023), which was confirmed earlier this year, the 42-year-old told Deadline, “The director (Sandeep Reddy Vanga) is making another film right now, [so] we should [be able to] start that film in 2027... He wants to make it into three parts and the second part will be called Animal Park,” and added, “We have been sharing ideas from the first film itself on how he wants to take the story forward. It’s very exciting because I [will] get to play two characters — both the antagonist and the protagonist. So, it’s an extremely exciting project with an extremely original director.”

Kapoor is also set to star in his second Sanjay Leela Bhansali film titled Love And War, which is currently in the pre-production stage. Recounting his debut film with Bhansali, Saawariya (2007), Kapoor revealed how it had the “biggest impact on his career”.

“I have always believed failures changed me more than successful films. My first film, Saawariya, was a big disaster at the box office and it was ridiculed as a film. [But] it prepared me early on about what this industry is like, and what it is like to be an actor. I was humbled with my first film itself; it prepared me for the ride.”

As for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, where Kapoor will star alongside Sai Pallavi, the actor revealed that the shoot for the first part has been wrapped up. Calling it “India’s greatest story”, the actor said, “I am so humbled to essay Ram’s role. It’s a film that has everything. It teaches what Indian culture is about — family and husband-wife dynamics.”

While Ranbir Kapoor was regaling the audience during his session at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on Sunday, work on his next, Love & War, was on in full swing in Mumbai. mid-day has learnt that over the weekend, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali filmed an elaborate sequence featuring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal at Studio 2 in Film City, Goregaon. A set of a disco has been constructed where the two leads will continue to shoot over the next seven days.

Bhansali is known for grandeur as well as his keen eye for detail. So, it’s not surprising when sources describe the set as a spectacle.

A crew member involved in the shoot reveals, “The set has been designed to replicate an ’80s disco. Sanjay sir wanted a setting that was both nostalgic and fantastical. The scene sees about 30 soldiers enjoying their time on the dance floor as retro songs, including Laila Main Laila, play in the background. In contrast, Alia and Vicky’s characters are seen having an intense conversation, as they share the inner turmoil they are going through.”

Bhatt has allotted the next 10 days to Love & War, which marks her second collaboration with the filmmaker after Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). A source says, “Alia has been rehearsing intensively, making sure she is in tune with her character in Love & War. In early December, she will go back to the world of Alpha as the team starts the next schedule.”

Months after teasing fans with news relating to his magnum opus, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is finally ready to kick off Love and War, his anticipated drama featuring a star-studded cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.

Come November 7, Film City’s Studio 5 will resemble the historic world that has come to be synonymous with Bhansali’s films. A source tells mid-day, “A crowd of 50 extras is required for the opening sequence. They will play sepoys [soldiers] in the scene. A lot of attention is being paid to each detail to ensure the period is appropriately reflected.”

While only Kapoor is expected to shoot the initial scenes, an insider adds that the filmmaker also plans to subsequently cut a teaser poster with all the stars. “Vicky will be joining the shoot next week, but Alia kicks off her sections only in December.”

Details relating to the film, rumoured to be an epic romance set against the backdrop of a war, are being kept under wraps, with only a few trusted individuals being given access to the set.

Alia Bhatt may be currently busy with Jigra’s promotions, but soon, she will be right where she is the happiest—on a movie set. Sources tell us that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is gearing up to kick off the shoot of his next, Love And War, by October-end. The love triangle—led by Ranbir Kapoor, Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal—was to originally go on floors by November-end, but now the filmmaker is said to have expedited things.

A source reveals, “The pre-production is on in full swing. Multiple rounds of auditions are underway to lock the dancers. The character actors were finalized last month. The inside buzz is that the film might roll before Diwali.” The production design team has begun building elaborate sets at Sunil Maidan in Film City.

The lead stars, however, will join Bhansali’s world of love and betrayal only in early November, after Diwali celebrations. The filmmaker, known for his grand cinematic pieces and perfectionism, has earmarked one-and-a-half months for the first schedule.

“The character looks are ready. Table reads have begun. This move to begin production earlier than expected is fuelling speculation that Bhansali is aiming for a big-ticket release in 2025, instead of its scheduled March 2026 release. But it’s too early to talk release dates,” adds the source.

For the past few years, Sunil Maidan in Film City, Goregaon, has been home to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s cinematic creations, Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) and the upcoming Heeramandi. It won’t be any different for his next, Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Sources say that after the Heeramandi set at Film City is dismantled this month, the production design team will begin the groundwork to build the love story’s universe at the same venue.

Grand sets and a larger-than-life appeal are Bhansali’s signature style. We hear the filmmaker, with his team, will head to the venue this month to share the vision he has in mind for the upcoming love triangle.

A source tells us, “Over the next few months, the art and production design team will bring alive Bhansali sir’s imagination by creating miniature replicas of the prime sets, and get his approvals. The set construction will begin in full force after the monsoon, laying the foundation for a November shoot.”

By then, the lead cast will have honoured their prior commitments to focus single-mindedly on Love & War. “Ranbir will kick off the shoot of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan this month. He will wrap up the epic saga in time, to dive into Bhansali sir’s ambitious piece. The lead actors will have a straight six-month shoot, from November to 2025 summer, for the film to make its Christmas 2025 release.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has pulled off the most significant and biggest casting coup of the year with the announcement of his upcoming magnum opus, Love And War. The epic saga is all set to bring together the formidable trio of Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, promising a memorable cinematic experience. The official announcement from the maverick filmmaker has fans abuzz with excitement, anticipating the magic that this remarkable pool of talent will create.

Renowned for weaving narratives that transcend the ordinary, SLB has chosen the title Love And War for what promises to be a cinematic spectacle. The announcement has left industry insiders and the audience looking forward to the unravelling of another epic saga from the master storyteller.

The idea of watching these three powerhouse performers – Ranbir, Alia and Vicky – together on screen for the first time, has fuelled the viewers’ excitement to another level.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali gears up to transport the audience into a new world of love, war and cinematic brilliance with Love And War, which is slated for a Christmas 2025 release.