The carefully planned 2026 cinematic calendar for Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor has hit a major snag. The actor, who has two highly anticipated big-budget films scheduled for the year, now faces a significant scheduling conflict due to fresh delays in one of the projects.
Bhansali's 'Love and War' Faces Another Setback
According to industry reports, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has decided to postpone the release of his ambitious war-drama, 'Love and War'. The film, starring Ranbir Kapoor alongside Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal, was initially targeting a March 2026 premiere. It was later shifted to an Eid 2026 release. However, the latest buzz indicates that shooting has been extended and will now continue until May 2026.
This extension has directly pushed the film's potential release window to August or September 2026. An insider revealed that Ranbir Kapoor himself requested Bhansali to consider a June 2026 release, but it was deemed unfeasible. The delay in production has also reportedly led to an increase in the film's overall budget.
'Ramayana' Team Expresses Disappointment Over Tight Window
This new timeline for 'Love and War' has created a ripple effect, directly impacting the other mega-project on Kapoor's slate: Nitesh Tiwari's mythological epic 'Ramayana'. This film is firmly slated for a Diwali 2026 release.
Members of the 'Ramayana' team are reportedly 'disappointed' by the latest development. They were allegedly hoping for a comfortable gap of at least six months between the releases of 'Love and War' and 'Ramayana' to allow each film its own spotlight and marketing runway. If 'Love and War' arrives in September, it would give it only a 6-8 week theatrical run before 'Ramayana' hits screens during the Diwali festival.
The first installment of the two-part 'Ramayana' will feature Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The stellar cast also includes Sunny Deol as Hanuman, Arun Govil, and Rakul Preet Singh, among others. The second part is scheduled for Diwali 2027.
What's Next for the Kapoor-Bhansali Project?
Despite the delay, anticipation for 'Love and War' remains sky-high. The film marks the reunion of Ranbir Kapoor with Alia Bhatt after 'Brahmastra' and with Vicky Kaushal after 'Sanju'. Reports suggest that the first look of the film is expected to be unveiled in January 2026, though an official confirmation is still pending.
Bhansali's team is now actively working to finalize a concrete release date within the August-September 2026 window. The decision, which will be announced shortly, will ultimately determine the promotional clash and box office dynamics between two of Indian cinema's most expensive and awaited films starring the same leading man.
