Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Love & War has reportedly seen a major budget escalation, rising from an initial Rs. 350 crore to approximately Rs. 425 crore after an additional 50 days of shooting. The romantic war drama stars Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Alia Bhatt.

Why Has the Budget Increased?

According to industry reports:

Shooting schedules have been extended by 50 more days.
The film has already completed 175 days of filming.
Three songs and one major sequence are yet to be shot.
Bhansali’s perfection-driven filmmaking style has contributed to repeated schedule extensions.

Originally budgeted at Rs. 350 crore, the cost has now reportedly climbed to Rs. 425 crore — making it Bhansali’s most expensive film to date.

Financial Structure & Recovery

Key financial highlights:

A significant portion of the investment is reportedly self-funded by Bhansali.
Lead actors have agreed to revenue-sharing models instead of upfront remuneration.
The film has already secured over Rs. 200 crore through non-theatrical deals (including satellite and digital rights).

This reduces financial risk despite the ballooning production cost.

Scale & Expectations

Love & War is described as:

A romantic war action drama
Mounted on a grand, visually rich scale
Featuring elaborate sets and high-production design

Bhansali is known for opulent cinema, and the extended schedule reflects the ambition of the project.

The film is currently targeting an early 2027 theatrical release.

Key Entities

Sanjay Leela Bhansali – Director and major investor
Love & War – Romantic war drama
Ranbir Kapoor – Lead actor
Vicky Kaushal – Lead actor
Alia Bhatt – Lead actress

Final Verdict

Love & War is shaping up to be Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s most ambitious and expensive venture yet. While production delays have significantly escalated costs, strong pre-release business and a revenue-sharing model with actors provide financial cushioning.

If the film delivers on its scale and storytelling, the Rs. 425 crore investment could translate into one of Bollywood’s biggest cinematic spectacles of 2027.