In a significant production shift for Bollywood, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s highly anticipated film “Love & War” is adapting its shooting schedule to better accommodate the performers. Despite initial reports suggesting that the film’s international filming in Italy had been canceled, insiders have confirmed that the shoot has been restructured rather than scrapped. A brief ten-day filming session took place in Mumbai around Diwali, while the grand finale is now scheduled to be shot in Italy by December 2025.
Industry sources explain that Bhansali has lavishly recreated the ambiance of 1970s Italy in Mumbai, allowing for substantial shooting progress before the festival. This adjustment not only minimizes scheduling conflicts due to actors’ availability but also reduces logistical challenges associated with international travel, which are heightened in the current climate.
The final sequence, anticipated to span about 20 days in Italy, will provide the film with the authentic scale and grandeur Bhansali is known for, aligning with a target release during Eid 2026. The film boasts an impressive cast including stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, whose schedules had contributed to the original complexity of the production.
Initially, there were concerns about the logistical complications of filming entirely in Italy, which led to calls for a full cancellation of that leg of the shoot. However, Bhansali’s revised strategy not only includes a local filming component but also retains the aesthetic intent by ensuring that the concluding scenes are authentically shot in their intended Italian locations.
This proactive approach by the creative team not only reflects Bhansali’s commitment to a rich cinematic experience but also demonstrates a thoughtful balance of logistical practicality and artistic integrity. With high expectations and aspirations for a grand Eid 2026 release, there is considerable excitement in the air about the film’s potential to deliver the opulence and immersive storytelling that audiences have come to associate with Bhansali’s work. As the film progresses into post-production following the Italian shoot, anticipation is building for what promises to be a remarkable addition to Bollywood’s offerings.
Leave a comment