The much-awaited Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial, Love and War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, has officially bowed out of the Eid 2026 race. The film, which was earlier expected to lock horns with Yash’s pan-Indian spectacle Toxic, will now hit theatres sometime after June 2026, according to reliable industry sources.
Toxic Set to Dominate Eid 2026
Earlier in the day, Yash and the makers of Toxic reaffirmed that their “fairy tale for adults” will arrive as planned in March 2026, coinciding with the Eid festivities. This confirmation came amid growing speculation about multiple big-ticket films vying for the festive release window. With Love and War stepping aside, Toxic now has a clear path to dominate the holiday season.
Love and War Faces Delay in Production
Insiders reveal that Love and War is running significantly behind schedule. “It’s a blessing in disguise, as it made no sense for two pan-Indian films to clash on the same date. Love and War is currently about 40 days behind its planned timeline, and around 75 days of shoot still remain,” a trade source told Bollywood Hungama.
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has reportedly requested the film’s lead trio — Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal — to allocate bulk dates through Summer 2026 to complete the remaining portions. Given the filmmaker’s perfectionist approach and emphasis on grandeur, the post-production phase is also expected to be extensive.
Release Shift to Mid or Late 2026 Likely
According to reports, the earliest possible release window for Love and War is June 2026, though an official confirmation is awaited. “Ranbir Kapoor and Bhansali will take a final call on the release date soon. The team wants the film to get the right window for global marketing and theatrical rollout,” added the source.
The delay also conveniently avoids an off-screen clash between Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, before their much-hyped on-screen rivalry in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, which is currently in development.
Toxic Continues on Schedule
While Love and War slows down, Yash’s Toxic remains right on track. The makers are reportedly confident about meeting their deadlines. The film — described as an action-packed romantic drama — is being shot simultaneously in Kannada and English, marking one of the few Indian projects to do so.
Love and War
Industry chatter suggests that the postponement might actually benefit both films strategically. By avoiding an Eid clash, Love and War ensures an exclusive theatrical window later in the year, allowing Bhansali’s team to focus on international promotions, music marketing, and visual effects. Meanwhile, Toxic gets a clean festive run, potentially boosting its box-office prospects across multiple languages.
Jay-Ho Buzz
With Love and War moving to the latter half of 2026, fans can expect a cinematic spectacle worthy of Bhansali’s signature touch. The film, which reunites Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt after Brahmāstra, promises to be a passionate saga blending romance, conflict, and grandeur — just the kind of epic that deserves its own spotlight.
