Alia Bhatt’s first look from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much anticipated film Love and War has been officially unveiled, giving audiences their first glimpse of her character in the upcoming period drama.
The poster was released on September 25, 2026, a day after the makers introduced Ranbir Kapoor’s first look from the film. The latest reveal puts Alia at the centre of a lavish retro inspired setting and offers a glimpse of a character that appears visually different from several of her recent roles.
In the newly released poster, Alia Bhatt is seen seated against a dramatic backdrop featuring red curtains and bright stage lights. She wears a wine red sequinned outfit with a cropped blouse and flowing skirt, along with an elaborate headpiece. The styling has a distinctly retro appearance and has led several publications to describe the look as cabaret inspired.
The production house shared the poster with the caption “Aag bhi, dilon ki jaan bhi!” and confirmed the film’s release date as January 21, 2027. The promotional reveal has added another layer of interest around the film, particularly because the makers have started introducing the principal characters through individual first look posters.
Love and War is directed and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and features Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in the lead roles. The project brings the three actors together for the first time in a Bhansali directorial. The film also features Supriya Pathak in an important role.
The film has attracted attention because of its combination of a major star cast and Bhansali’s distinctive visual style. Alia Bhatt is working with Bhansali again after their collaboration on Gangubai Kathiawadi. That film marked an important phase in Alia’s career and earned her the National Award for Best Actress.
Love and War also reunites Ranbir Kapoor with Bhansali nearly two decades after their earlier collaboration Saawariya. The upcoming film therefore marks another chapter in their professional association. Ranbir and Alia are also appearing together on screen again, while Vicky Kaushal joins them in the central cast.
The promotional campaign for Love and War began with the release of Ranbir Kapoor’s first look on September 24. In that poster, Ranbir is shown sitting behind the wheel of a vintage car. He sports a short hairstyle and glasses, while his injured and bloodied hand and a bullet mark on his clothing provide a contrast to the otherwise composed appearance. The image suggested the film’s connection with its war setting.
Alia’s poster presents a noticeably different visual mood. Instead of the rugged appearance shown in Ranbir’s poster, her first look focuses on glamour, stage presentation and retro styling. The production design includes red curtains, bright lights and elaborate costume details.
The exact details of Alia’s character have not been fully revealed by the filmmakers. Based on the poster, several reports have described the appearance as cabaret inspired, but the image alone does not establish the complete nature of her character or her role in the story.
The first look has also generated discussion among entertainment audiences because of its visual presentation. Some reports have noted similarities with the style of classic Bollywood cabaret performances, particularly because of the stage lighting, feathered accessories and costume design. These comparisons relate to the visual appearance of the poster rather than confirming a specific sequence in the film.
Alia Bhatt also shared the newly released image on social media. The reveal followed the promotional activity around Ranbir Kapoor’s poster and has continued the film’s gradual introduction of its central characters.
Love and War is expected to combine romance and war elements within a period setting. However, the filmmakers have kept several major story details under wraps. The promotional material released so far has focused primarily on character appearances rather than providing extensive information about the storyline.
The film’s release is currently scheduled for January 21, 2027. It is planned for a worldwide theatrical release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
The release date announcement has also given the film a clear promotional timeline. With the first looks of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt now revealed, attention is expected to turn toward Vicky Kaushal’s character and the next phase of the film’s promotional campaign.
The three lead actors bring different previous collaborations to the project. Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal previously appeared together in Sanju, while Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal worked together in Raazi. Love and War brings all three actors into the same Sanjay Leela Bhansali production.
For Alia Bhatt, the film represents another collaboration with Bhansali after Gangubai Kathiawadi. Her first look in Love and War has already shown a significantly different visual presentation, with the retro styling and theatrical setting distinguishing it from her previous Bhansali character.
The newly released poster does not reveal the full context of the character or the scene shown in the image. As a result, details about her character’s profession, relationship with the other central characters and involvement in the film’s war narrative remain subject to further official announcements.
With the first looks of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt now public, Love and War has entered an important stage of its promotional campaign. The film’s combination of Bhansali’s direction, the lead trio and its period war drama setting is expected to remain a major focus of Bollywood entertainment coverage ahead of its theatrical release.
For now, the official Alia Bhatt poster provides audiences with a visual introduction to her character, while the makers continue to keep the larger story details confidential. The film is set to arrive in theatres worldwide on January 21, 2027, in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
