Sanjay Leela Bhansali Unveils Ranbir Kapoor’s First Look from Love & War; Film Set for January 2027 Release

Ranbir Kapoor gets his first look from Love & War

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has finally offered audiences the first official glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor from Love & War, and the poster immediately introduces a darker, more intense side of the actor.

Released on September 24, 2026, the first-look poster shows Ranbir behind the wheel of a vintage convertible, wearing sunglasses and a moustache. His otherwise composed retro appearance is contrasted by a visibly bruised and bloodied arm resting outside the car. The image also carries the film's confirmed theatrical release date January 21, 2027.

The makers accompanied the reveal with the line, “Woh rutba, woh raub, woh junoon!” The poster marks the beginning of the film's more visible promotional phase after months in which details surrounding its characters and story have largely remained closely guarded.

A very different Ranbir Kapoor

The first look deliberately keeps the character's identity and circumstances mysterious.

Ranbir is presented in a vintage setting, complete with an old-fashioned car, slicked-back hair, moustache and sunglasses. But the blood on his arm changes the tone of the image. Rather than presenting a conventional romantic hero, the poster hints at a character who appears to have already been through physical conflict.

Importantly, the poster itself does not explain the injury or reveal the sequence from which it comes. Any conclusion about how Ranbir's character is injured would therefore remain speculation at this stage.

That restraint is significant. Instead of explaining the plot, the first look establishes a mood retro, stylish and physically intense while leaving the larger narrative for future promotional material.

Ranbir, Alia and Vicky lead Bhansali's ambitious project

Love & War brings together Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in the lead roles under Sanjay Leela Bhansali's direction.

The project carries several notable reunions. Ranbir is working with Bhansali again nearly two decades after Saawariya (2007), which marked the actor's Bollywood debut. Alia, meanwhile, reunites with Bhansali after Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), while Love & War marks Vicky Kaushal's first collaboration with the filmmaker.

Ranbir and Vicky have previously appeared together in Sanju, while Alia and Vicky shared the screen in Raazi. Their combination with Bhansali creates a cast built around actors who already have established screen histories with one another, but this is their first collective project under his direction.

What is known about Love & War?

The makers have officially described Love & War as a large-scale romantic drama, but detailed information about the plot has been limited.

Previous reporting has described the film as being set against a war backdrop, with Ranbir and Vicky reported to play Air Force officers. However, character and storyline details beyond what has been officially revealed should be treated cautiously because the production has kept much of its narrative under wraps.

The film has also undergone a lengthy production process. Bhansali Productions announced the completion of the principal shoot on September 4, 2026, moving the project into its post-production phase.

There have also been reports of additional filming involving the principal cast after the reported completion of the main shoot. Those reports should be treated as production updates rather than evidence of any change to the film's confirmed release date.

Why January 21, 2027 matters?

Love & War is officially scheduled to arrive worldwide in theatres on January 21, 2027, in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

The release date was announced earlier this year after the film's schedule underwent changes. Bhansali Productions confirmed the January 2027 date in April, providing a firm theatrical window after previous release plans had shifted.

With the first Ranbir look now released, the January date gives the film a clear promotional runway. The poster is therefore more than a character reveal: it is the first substantial visual statement about the film's world after a prolonged period of limited official material.

Ranbir and Bhansali reunite after Saawariya

One of the most interesting elements of Love & War is the director-actor reunion at its centre.

Bhansali launched Ranbir as a leading man with Saawariya in 2007. Nearly 20 years later, the actor returns to Bhansali's direction at a very different point in his career.

The contrast is notable. Ranbir's latest first look presents him with a hardened, mature and physically battered appearance, far removed from the youthful image associated with his debut. The poster alone cannot reveal the character's complete arc, but it does indicate that Bhansali is presenting the actor in a distinctly different visual register this time.

The Celebrity Hour Take

The most interesting aspect of the Love & War first look is what it doesn't reveal.

Bhansali has chosen to introduce Ranbir through a single, highly composed image rather than explain the character or narrative. The vintage styling establishes the period atmosphere, while the bloodied arm introduces an element of conflict without giving away its context.

For a film whose title places love and war side by side, that visual contrast is particularly relevant. The image combines glamour and violence in the same frame, suggesting that the film's emotional world may not be separated neatly from its conflict-driven setting.

At the same time, readers should not read more into the poster than it actually confirms. The story, Ranbir's character, the significance of the injury and the relationship between the three leads remain areas where the makers have yet to provide complete details.

What is confirmed is that Love & War has entered its public promotional phase, Ranbir's first official character look is now out, and the film has a locked theatrical date of January 21, 2027.

Sources & Verification

This report was prepared by cross-checking the September 24, 2026 first-look reveal with multiple reports carrying details from the official Bhansali Productions announcement, along with earlier confirmed information about the film's cast, production completion and release date. The description of Ranbir's poster has been limited to details visible in the officially released first look and reported by established publications.

Where the film's plot or character details remain undisclosed, this article distinguishes reported information from officially confirmed facts.