Sanjay Leela Bhansali is gearing up for his next magnum opus, Love and War, starring Bollywood heavyweights Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. The film is already making headlines, not only for its star-studded cast but also for its impressive pre-release earnings. Without even hitting the floors, Bhansali has secured a massive ₹215 crore from non-theatrical rights deals.
The shooting for Love and War is set to begin next month, and the official release date has already been announced. Bhansali, known for his visually grand films, has decided to self-produce this one, adopting a model similar to that of Red Chillies and Yash Raj Films (YRF), without partnering with a major studio. This decision allows him greater creative control over the project.
Pre-Release Deals Boost Bhansali’s Earnings
According to reports from Pinkvilla, Bhansali has already made lucrative deals for the film’s OTT, music, and satellite rights. A major deal has been struck with Netflix, where the base amount stands at ₹130 crore. However, depending on the film’s box office performance, this amount could rise further. A separate music rights deal with Saregama has been secured for ₹35 crore, and the satellite rights have been sold to a prominent television network for ₹50 crore. This brings Bhansali’s total non-theatrical earnings to ₹215 crore, even before the movie has gone into production.
This massive earning comes despite Bhansali rejecting a ₹350 crore blanket deal offered by various film studios, choosing instead to manage the project independently. It shows his confidence in the project’s potential.
Ranbir, Alia, Vicky Opt for Revenue Share Model
In a surprising move, the lead actors of Love and War—Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal—have not taken any upfront fees for their roles. Instead, they have agreed to a revenue-sharing model, where their earnings will depend on the box office success of the film. Among the trio, Ranbir Kapoor is expected to have the largest share of the profits.
This model reflects growing trends in Bollywood, where big stars are willing to take financial risks for greater rewards based on the film’s performance. This also reduces the initial financial burden on the production budget, allowing for more investment in the film’s quality and scale.
High Budget and Spectacular War Sequences Await
Love and War is set to be one of the most expensive films ever made in Bollywood, with a production budget of around ₹200 crore. This figure does not include the earnings of the cast, as their payments depend on the box office outcome. Bhansali is known for his larger-than-life sets and visually stunning storytelling, and he is expected to raise the bar even higher with this film.
The war sequences in Love and War are rumored to be some of the most impressive ever seen in Indian cinema. With Bhansali’s keen eye for detail and dramatic flair, audiences can expect breathtaking action scenes that could redefine Indian war dramas.
Release Date and Box Office Showdown
Love and War is scheduled to release on 20 March 2026, during the Eid and Gudi Padwa holidays. With such a high-profile release date, Bhansali’s film is expected to draw massive crowds and could see record-breaking earnings. However, the film may face tough competition as reports suggest that Shah Rukh Khan’s much-anticipated film King is also slated for an Eid 2026 release. This potential box office clash could set the stage for one of the biggest showdowns in Bollywood history.
With Love and War already securing significant earnings before its release and boasting an impressive cast and production, it is one of the most anticipated films in the coming years. All eyes will be on Bhansali, Ranbir, Alia, and Vicky as they aim to deliver a cinematic masterpiece.
