In January this year, acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced his next ambitious project, Love & War. The film, which will see Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles, is creating quite a buzz. Set against the turbulent backdrop of war, this love triangle promises to be another magnum opus from the celebrated director. The latest update hints that the film is poised to start shooting in early October, with the team working hard to ensure it hits cinema screens by Christmas 2025.
As the countdown to the beginning of the shoot commences, Ranbir Kapoor is set to take center stage first. His character is reported to have shades of grey, adding nuance to his performance. Vicky Kaushal, another powerhouse of talent, will soon join Kapoor for scenes that highlight the camaraderie of their characters. The presence of such talented actors is expected to truly bring Bhansali’s vision to life. Notably, Alia Bhatt will be joining the ensemble cast in December, once she has completed her commitments to the spy thriller Alpha, a shoot that has her occupied until November.
The commitment from the actors is impressive; sources reveal they have promised over 200 dates exclusively for Love & War, ensuring they won’t take on any other projects until their parts are wrapped up. Given that the film is being touted for a Christmas 2025 release, insiders and fans alike are eager to see if Bhansali and his team can meet the demanding deadline, with plans to complete filming by September 2025.
In other Bollywood news, earlier this month reports surfaced that producer Dinesh Vijan opted not to attach the trailer of his Akshay Kumar-starrer, SkyForce, with the much-anticipated Stree 2. Trade insiders now hint that the release of the aerial action thriller SkyForce, initially set for October 2, is being pushed back. The decision seems to be driven by a strategy to space out Akshay Kumar’s upcoming films. Directed by Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani, SkyForce also stars Sara Ali Khan and Nimrat Kaur, and marks the debut of newcomer Veer Pahariya. The revised release date is now expected to fall in the first quarter of 2025.
Meanwhile, the creators of Welcome to the Jungle have put to rest any rumors that production is behind schedule, potentially risking their planned Christmas 2024 release. Director Ahmed Khan confirmed, “The film is on track, and we are starting our next marathon schedule internationally in October. My technical team has already left for the first reconnaissance.” According to sources, 70 percent of the Akshay Kumar-led comedy has already been filmed, with the remaining scenes set to be wrapped up in the international leg of the shoot.
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In the realm of inspiring storytelling, actress Sanya Malhotra is riding high following the enthusiastic reception of her upcoming film, Mrs, at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). Directed by Arati Kadav and produced by Jio Studios and Baweja Studios, the film is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen. Sanya, reflecting on her experience, praised the director, “Arati has done an amazing job. Working with her felt brilliant every second.” Sharing how she drew inspiration from a close friend’s real-life experiences, Malhotra expressed her commitment to telling stories that inspire and bring about change, particularly for women who have seen their dreams curtailed.
On the small screen, the television show Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye has embraced the festive spirit of Krishna Janmashtami. The show recently filmed a Dahi Handi special episode featuring actors Arjit Taneja and Sriti Jha, who play the characters Virat and Amruta respectively. The cast and crew brought the festival to life with infectious energy, ensuring all safety precautions were followed. Arjit Taneja shared his excitement, saying, “The energy on set was contagious, it was pure joy. The sound of the pot shattering and the cheers from everyone gave me goosebumps. I’ll cherish this shoot for a long time.”
Siddhant Chaturvedi is set to shift gears from his coming-of-age role in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) to taking on a more intense persona as an angry young man in Ravi Udyawar’s upcoming action drama, Yudhra. Co-starring Malavika Mohanan and featuring Raghav Juyal as the antagonist, Yudhra will be Chaturvedi’s foray into a more rugged role. Backed by Farhan Akhtar, Riteish Sidhwani, and Zoya Akhtar, who previously gave Siddhant his big break with Gully Boy (2019), the movie also stars Ram Kapoor and Gajraj Rao. The film is slated to release on September 20.
Filmmaking activity is abuzz in Kashmir as director Shiv Rawail, after filming Alpha’s initial sequences in Mumbai, shifts the movie’s production to the picturesque valleys. Starring Alia Bhatt and Sharvari, Alpha is touted to be the first female-led spy film from YRF Spy Universe. Sharvari, expressing her enthusiasm about the project, shared, “I can’t wait to be on the sets of Alpha again! It feels like being a kid in a candy store. This opportunity so early in my career is truly a blessing, and I am humbled to be part of a franchise that includes megastars of our film industry.”
With such an array of intriguing projects on the horizon, the next few years promise to be a treat for cinema lovers, showcasing a blend of ambition, innovation, and storytelling prowess in the Indian film industry.
