SLB & Ranbir End Spat with Love and War

Ending 17 years of bitterness and resentment, Bollywood premier director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and star Ranbir Kapoor are officially set to bury the hatchet. Yes, the two titans in the Indian film industry are making their peace with the proposed film Love and War. However, it looks like the movie's production and gestation period will be a prolonged one as it is only slated to hit screens in December, 2025. Joining in the cast is Ranbir’s better-half Alia and Vicky Kaushal, marking the first ever collaboration of all four film personalities.

Lest one forget, Bhansali gave Ranbir his first big break with the latter’s debut role in Saawariya (2006) - alongside fellow-newcomer Sonam Kapoor. Though the film underperformed at the box office, Ranbir came in for praise wth critics lauding his “towel dance” sequence. But a storm had been brewing between director and star during shooting, culminating in Ranbir’s apparent decision not to join forces with Bhansali again. 

Ranbir opened up about his acrimonious rapport with SLB in 2016. On Neha Dupia’s podcast No Filter Neha, Ranbir threw discretion to the wind, saying, “He (Bhansali) was a hard taskmaster... I was kneeling down on set; he was beating me.” The actor also recalled telling Bhansali at one point, “I can’t do this. It is getting to me.” The Sanju star added on the web discussion, “I am too sensitive and emotional... and he kept poking into that. He got too much and went crazy as far as I was concerned.”

Anyway, what better way to make up than to work together again in a job they are cut out for? Plus the premise for the planned film comes from a great source: Raj Kapoor’s hit 1964 film Sangam. The classic was about a intense love triangle set against the backdrop of war. It was also notable for being the first ever Indian film to be partly shot in Europe. While the theme may be borrowed, Bhansali is expected to weave a lot of his original magic into the remake. After all, the veteran has contributed to 21 movies in his 3 decade-long career, scoring several hts. However, his last certified blockbuster – Padmaavat - was a whole 6 years ago. 

Interestingly, it was Bhansali’s colleague Imtiaz Ali who had first envisaged Ranbir and Alia in a war-romance film together. The idea occurred to Ali when Ranbir was visiting Alia on the set of Highway (2014). That's a long time for Ali's brainchild not to take shape. But for what has become SLB's latest project, Ranbir will have his lucky charm in Alia by his side... again. In fact the film industry continues to capitalise on the couple’s on-screen and off-screen chemistry. So much so, that in 2022, the two signed on for a 10-movie deal. How’s that for a successful marriage! And what better way for SLB and Ranbir to end their "War" and resume the "Love" again?