Sanjay Leela Bhansali Goes Global with Love & War — His First Overseas Shoot in 26 Years

Ziya Khan August 19, 2025Last Updated: August 19, 2025

The year 2026 is shaping up to be thrilling for Bollywood fans, with several big films featuring top stars set to release. One of the most eagerly awaited is Love & War, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film boasts a stellar cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. What makes Love & War even more exciting is that it marks Bhansali’s first film in 26 years to be shot abroad. According to a source close to Bollywood Hungama, Bhansali is famed for creating grand, visually stunning films. However, despite the grandeur of his previous works like

Devdas (2002), Black (2005), Saawariya (2007), Guzaarish (2010), Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela (2013), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Padmaavat (2018), and Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), he has not filmed outside India for these projects. The last time Bhansali shot abroad was for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1998), where a key sequence was filmed in Hungary, standing in for Italy.

For Love & War, the requirement for an international location led Bhansali to travel to Rome, Italy, earlier this month for a location scout. The film is expected to be shot primarily in Rome, with possible additional shoots across Europe later this year.Reports reveal that Bhansali will be filming intense face-off scenes between Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal this month. So far, about 100 days of shooting have been completed as of July, with approximately 90 more days remaining.

Love & War is slated for a grand release on March 20, 2026, coinciding with Ramzan Eid. The film reunites Bhansali with Ranbir Kapoor after nearly 18 years—Ranbir made his debut in Bhansali’s Saawariya. Alia Bhatt returns to work with the director after Gangubai Kathiawadi, while this film marks Vicky Kaushal’s first collaboration with Bhansali. Stay tuned to know more about the film and others only with us. If you have anything to share, do comment below and let your thoughts flow in.