Ranbir Kapoor calls 'Love and War' “every actor’s dream,” pushes for four-month gap before 'Ramayana'

Highlights

• Kapoor wants Love and War to release no later than June 2026
  
• Actor aims for at least a four-month gap before Ramayana’s Diwali 2026 release
  
• Bhansali prefers an August window, but producers back June
  
• Kapoor calls Love and War “every actor’s dream” as he reunites with Bhansali
  

Kapoor wants breathing room between Love and War and Ramayana

Ranbir Kapoor is currently managing two of the biggest films in his lineup, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War and Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. While Ramayana is locked for Diwali 2026 and 2027, the date for Love and War remains open.

Bollywood Hungama reports that Kapoor now prefers a June 2026 release for Love and War. He reportedly wants to ensure there is a minimum four-month gap between the two films so their promotions, box-office performance, and audience recall do not overlap.

Since Ramayana is expected to be a major festive release, Kapoor is said to have asked Bhansali to position Love and War earlier in the year.

Bhansali and producers differ on the release window

According to reports, Bhansali is inclined toward an Independence Day weekend release in August. However, Kapoor feels that such a date places the film too close to Ramayana.

A source adds that producer Namit Malhotra supports Kapoor’s preference, wanting to avoid any overlap that may affect Ramayana, which is being treated as a larger, multi-part event film.

Separate reporting from News18 Showsha also states that the makers are exploring a solo June release.

June seen as a strong theatrical slot

Industry chatter suggests the team is considering June 5, 2026. The date falls a week after the IPL finale and lands in the summer holiday window, traditionally strong for theatrical turnout. With fewer major releases expected around that time, the film would likely get a clean run.

The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal in the lead.

Kapoor recalls returning to Bhansali’s set after 17 years

Earlier this year, Kapoor spoke about working again with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, saying the film is “every actor’s dream.”

He described Bhansali as someone who works with unmatched focus and intensity. “I haven’t met a human being who works so hard, who understands characters, emotions, music, Indian culture, Indian value system, as much as Sanjay Leela Bhansali,” he said.

He added that while the process can be demanding, “as an artist, it is so satisfying,” and praised the director for the way he “nurtures art.”