The first look poster of Ranbir Kapoor from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-awaited Love & War has finally been unveiled, giving fans their first official glimpse of the actor’s character in the period romantic war drama. Released on September 24, 2026, the poster shows Ranbir in an intense, rugged avatar, with a visibly injured and bloodied hand as he drives a vintage car. The makers have paired the striking image with the caption, “Woh rutba, woh raub, woh junoon!” and confirmed that Love & War will arrive worldwide in theatres on January 21, 2027.
The film brings together Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in the lead roles under the direction of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The first look has immediately generated curiosity about Ranbir’s character, the film’s war backdrop and the much-discussed relationship between the three protagonists.
Ranbir Kapoor Love & War First Look Poster Is Finally Out
The Ranbir Kapoor Love & War first look was officially shared by Bhansali Productions on Thursday, September 24.
The poster features Ranbir behind the wheel of a vintage car. He is dressed in a simple white T-shirt, wearing glasses and sporting a short hairstyle, while his injured hand appears bruised and covered in blood. The image creates an immediate sense of danger and conflict without revealing the larger storyline
The look is considerably more rugged and action-oriented than the romantic image audiences might expect from the title Love & War. The blood, injury and intense expression have led fans to speculate about the circumstances surrounding Ranbir’s character, although the poster itself does not reveal the scene’s context.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s signature attention to visual detail is also evident in the styling and period aesthetic.
‘Woh Rutba, Woh Raub, Woh Junoon!’: Poster Caption Explained
The makers shared the poster with the line:
“Woh rutba, woh raub, woh junoon!”
The caption establishes the tone of Ranbir’s character without directly revealing his identity or role in the plot. It suggests a character carrying authority, intensity and emotional obsession, while keeping the narrative details under wraps.
The announcement also confirms that audiences will see Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War in theatres on January 21, 2027.
Both Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal shared the poster on their social-media accounts, adding to the excitement around the first major character reveal from the film.
What Is Love & War About?
The makers have kept the detailed plot of Love & War largely secret. However, reports describe it as a period romantic war drama involving a complicated relationship between three central characters.
Reports have previously suggested that Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal play Indian Air Force officers, while Alia Bhatt’s character becomes central to a romantic triangle unfolding against the backdrop of war. These details remain based on media reports because Bhansali Productions has not publicly revealed a full official synopsis.
The combination of romance and war creates two connected narrative worlds: an emotionally complicated love story and the physical danger of armed conflict.
The latest poster appears to reinforce the latter element, particularly through Ranbir’s injury and the vintage vehicle.
Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal Share the Screen
One of the biggest attractions of Love & War is its central cast.
Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir plays one of the film’s principal characters and is now the first member of the lead trio to receive an official first look. His poster has focused heavily on his physical appearance and the character’s intensity.
The film also reunites Ranbir with Bhansali almost two decades after the actor made his Bollywood debut with Saawariya (2007), which was directed by Bhansali.
Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt is the second major lead and has previously worked with Bhansali on Gangubai Kathiawadi.
Her role in Love & War is being kept under wraps, although reports connect her character to both Ranbir and Vicky’s characters.
Vicky Kaushal
Vicky Kaushal is making his first collaboration with Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Love & War.
Interestingly, Vicky and Ranbir have already worked together in Sanju, while Vicky and Alia appeared together in Raazi. This makes the trio familiar to audiences individually even though they are now coming together in Bhansali’s period drama.
Ranbir’s Bloodied Look Raises Questions
The biggest discussion around the Love & War first look poster is Ranbir’s injury.
His hand appears bruised and bloodied while he drives. The image suggests that the character has just experienced—or is in the middle of—an intense situation.
However, it would be premature to identify the exact circumstances based only on a poster. The film’s central plot has intentionally been kept confidential, and the makers have not explained the specific scene shown in the image.
The visual nevertheless gives audiences one important clue: Love & War will not be a romance-only drama. The “war” component is visibly reflected in its first character reveal.
Is Ranbir’s Love & War Look Similar to Animal?
Some social-media users and entertainment reports have compared the bloodied, rugged appearance with elements of Ranbir Kapoor’s look in Animal.
However, the films are unrelated, and the comparison is primarily about the visual impression created by the bruises, blood and intense styling. Love & War is a period romantic war drama directed by Bhansali, while Animal is a contemporary action crime drama.
The first-look discussion therefore reflects audience reactions rather than any confirmed connection between the two films.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Period Drama Returns to the Big Screen
Love & War is one of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s most ambitious upcoming projects.
Known for visually elaborate films and period settings, Bhansali is directing, writing and producing the movie alongside a large technical team. The project is expected to combine romance, music, drama and war on a large cinematic scale.
The film is written by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ila Bedi Dutta, according to current reporting. It also stars Supriya Pathak in a key role.
The director has also maintained strict secrecy around the production.
Love & War Shooting and Recent Reshoots
The film has been in production since November 2024 and completed its principal shoot in September 2026. However, reports indicate that Bhansali has returned to the set for additional work on the war sequences.
According to recent reporting, the filmmaker was not completely satisfied with some battle scenes and planned additional filming at Welcome Maidaan, with Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal participating.
The additional work demonstrates that production activity continued even after the main shooting schedule had been completed.
The filmmakers have also reportedly taken extensive steps to prevent leaks from the film’s sets, with non-disclosure agreements being used among crew members.
Love & War Release Date: January 21, 2027
The Love & War release date is January 21, 2027.
The film will release worldwide in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, according to the latest announcement and reporting.
The release date has changed during the project’s development, with the movie now firmly positioned as a major 2027 theatrical release.
For audiences in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and other Indian cities, the multilingual release gives the film a broad domestic theatrical footprint.
Love & War Budget and OTT Rights
The Indian Express reported that Love & War is being made on a reported budget of approximately ₹425 crore, although this is a media-reported figure rather than an officially disclosed production budget. The report also stated that Netflix had acquired a reported deal worth ₹130 crore, while music and satellite rights were reported to have generated another ₹70–80 crore.
The reported OTT deal does not mean that a Netflix streaming date has been confirmed. The theatrical release remains scheduled for January 21, 2027.
Love & War First Look: What Fans Are Waiting For Next
The Ranbir Kapoor poster is only the beginning of the film’s character-reveal campaign.
Fans are now waiting for the Alia Bhatt first look and Vicky Kaushal first look.
The official identities, uniforms and character details of the two actors are likely to provide more context about the film’s war setting and its central relationship.
The poster has also created questions about whether Ranbir and Vicky’s characters are allies, rivals or both at different points in the story. Those questions remain unanswered by the makers.
For now, the first look successfully keeps the mystery intact while establishing the intense tone of the project.
Love & War: Movie Details
| Category | Details |
| Film | Love & War |
| Director | Sanjay Leela Bhansali |
| Lead Cast | Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal |
| Genre | Period Romantic War Drama |
| Writers | Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ila Bedi Dutta |
| First Ranbir Look | September 24, 2026 |
| Release Date | January 21, 2027 |
| Languages | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu |
| Production | Bhansali Productions |
| Key Supporting Cast | Supriya Pathak |
| OTT Partner Reported | Netflix |
Love & War First Look Poster FAQs
When was Ranbir Kapoor’s first look from Love & War released?
The Ranbir Kapoor Love & War first look poster was unveiled on September 24, 2026 by Bhansali Productions.
What does Ranbir Kapoor look like in the Love & War poster?
Ranbir is seen driving a vintage car, wearing a white T-shirt and glasses, with a short hairstyle and a visibly bruised and bloodied hand.
When is Love & War releasing?
Love & War is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on January 21, 2027, in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Who stars in Love & War?
The lead trio consists of Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. The film also features actors including Supriya Pathak.
Who directed Love & War?
The film is written and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Is Love & War a period film?
Yes. It is being reported as a period romantic war drama, with the story set against a backdrop of armed conflict.
What is Love & War about?
The detailed official plot remains under wraps. Media reports have described it as a love triangle involving characters played by Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal against a war backdrop.
Is Ranbir Kapoor playing an army officer in Love & War?
Reports have described Ranbir and Vicky Kaushal as Indian Air Force officers, but the makers have not publicly released a complete official character synopsis.
Is Alia Bhatt in Love & War?
Yes. Alia Bhatt is one of the three leads, alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.
Is Vicky Kaushal in Love & War?
Yes. Vicky Kaushal stars opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali period drama.
Has Love & War finished shooting?
The principal shoot has been reported as wrapped in September 2026, although additional filming of war sequences has also been reported after the main schedule.
Will Love & War release on Netflix?
Netflix has been reported as having acquired streaming rights, but an official Netflix OTT release date has not yet been announced.
Conclusion
The Ranbir Kapoor Love & War first look poster has given audiences the first official glimpse into the intense world of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming period drama. The image of Ranbir driving a vintage car with a bloodied and injured hand immediately creates questions about his character and the film’s war setting, while the makers continue to keep the larger story secret.
With Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal joining Ranbir in the lead, Love & War combines a three-star cast with Bhansali’s period filmmaking. Ranbir’s reunion with Bhansali after Saawariya, Alia’s return to the director after Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Vicky Kaushal’s first collaboration with the filmmaker add further significance to the project.
The film is currently scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on January 21, 2027, in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. With its first character poster now released, the spotlight will likely move next to Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal’s first looks, as audiences wait for more clues about the film’s love triangle and war narrative.
