The first look of Ranbir Kapoor from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film Love and War has been released, offering the first official glimpse of his character ahead of the film’s theatrical release. The poster was unveiled on September 24, 2026, and has drawn attention for its retro visual style and the contrasting image of Ranbir Kapoor with a bruised and bloodied arm.
In the newly released poster, Ranbir Kapoor is seen sitting behind the wheel of a vintage convertible. He sports a short hairstyle, a pencil moustache and round sunglasses, while wearing a light coloured outfit. His otherwise composed appearance is contrasted by his visibly injured and bloodied arm, creating an intense visual impression.
The poster provides the first major visual introduction to Ranbir’s character in Love and War. The makers have kept several details about the story under wraps, but the visual presentation suggests that the film will combine romance, personal drama and conflict within a period setting.
Love and War brings together Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in the lead roles. The film is written and directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on January 21, 2027. It is planned for release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
The project marks the first time Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal have appeared together in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial. Ranbir has previously worked with Bhansali in Saawariya, which marked his acting debut in 2007. The new film therefore brings the actor and director together again after nearly two decades.
Bhansali has also previously worked with Alia Bhatt in Gangubai Kathiawadi. Their collaboration received considerable attention, and Love and War marks their second project together. Vicky Kaushal, meanwhile, is working with Bhansali for the first time in this film.
Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal have already shared the screen in Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju. Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal have also previously worked together in Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi. Love and War therefore brings together three actors who have established professional associations with one another through earlier projects.
The film is reportedly set against the backdrop of war and has been described in reports as a period romantic war drama. Details of the plot have largely been kept confidential by the filmmakers. Reports have suggested that Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal may portray Indian Air Force officers whose lives become connected to Alia Bhatt’s character, although the makers have not revealed the complete storyline.
The first-look poster continues the film’s period aesthetic. The vintage car, clothing, hairstyle and overall production design create a visual setting different from contemporary Bollywood dramas. The injured arm adds another layer to the poster and hints at the conflict that forms part of the film’s narrative.
The makers shared the first look through Bhansali Productions, while Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt also shared the poster on their social media accounts. The announcement confirmed the January 21, 2027 theatrical release date.
Love and War has been in production for an extended period. Principal photography began in November 2024 and continued through multiple schedules. Reports indicate that the main shoot was completed in September 2026, although additional work on certain war sequences has also been reported.
The film’s war sequences are expected to be an important part of its large scale presentation. Reports have said that Bhansali returned to portions of the battle material after the main shoot was completed, with the lead actors involved in additional filming. These reports suggest that the filmmaker is continuing to refine the production ahead of its release.
The combination of Bhansali’s period filmmaking style and the presence of Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal has made Love and War one of the prominent upcoming Hindi films. The newly released poster gives audiences their first official look at Ranbir’s character, while further promotional material is expected to reveal more about the film.
The first look also places Ranbir at the centre of the initial promotional campaign. His vintage appearance, sunglasses, moustache and injured arm have become the key visual elements of the poster. The filmmakers have chosen to reveal the character without providing extensive plot information, allowing the image to create curiosity around the story.
The film’s title combines two major themes that are expected to shape the narrative. While the romantic aspect is connected to the relationships between the central characters, the war setting provides the larger dramatic backdrop. The exact nature of those relationships and conflicts will become clearer as the promotional campaign progresses.
Love and War also represents another collaboration between Bhansali and Ranbir after Saawariya. For Ranbir, the film reunites him with the filmmaker who launched his Hindi film career. For Bhansali, the project brings together three established actors in a large scale production that combines romance, drama and wartime elements.
With the first look now released, attention is expected to shift toward the next stages of the promotional campaign. Reports indicate that a teaser could arrive later in 2026, followed by further promotional material closer to the theatrical release, although the makers have not officially detailed the complete campaign schedule.
Love and War is currently scheduled to reach theatres worldwide on January 21, 2027. The film will be released in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The first-look poster has introduced Ranbir Kapoor’s character to audiences while keeping the larger story largely undisclosed.