Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming epic, Love & War, has officially crossed the ₹400 crore production budget mark, making it the most expensive project of his career to date. Originally slated at ₹350 crore, the budget has ballooned to approximately ₹425 crore due to repeated shooting extensions, while the lead actors have opted for backend profit-sharing deals instead of upfront fees.
Budget Escalation and Production Extensions
According to a report by Filmfare dated February 25, 2026, the film’s shooting schedule was extended by 50 days, which significantly escalated the production cost. The budget, initially planned at ₹350 crore, has now surged to ₹425 crore, marking it as Bhansali’s most expensive venture to date .
Similarly, The Times of India confirms that the budget has crossed the ₹400 crore threshold, attributing the rise to expanded scale and production overruns. The article also notes that the lead actors—Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal—have chosen profit-sharing deals to help manage production costs .
Confirmation of ₹425 Crore Budget
Multiple outlets, including Business Today, The Indian Express, and NewsBytes, corroborate the ₹425 crore figure. Business Today reports that the budget has topped ₹425 crore, citing the extended shooting schedule and Bhansali’s perfectionist approach as key drivers . The Indian Express echoes this, noting that the budget has “skyrocketed” to ₹425 crore, while the actors have foregone upfront fees in favor of backend profit-sharing . NewsBytes also confirms the budget has passed ₹400 crore and reached ₹425 crore, with the same financing structure in place .
Pre-Release Recoveries and Financing Strategy
Despite the soaring costs, Bhansali has managed to recover a significant portion of the budget through non-theatrical deals. Reports indicate that approximately ₹200 crore has already been recouped via streaming, music, and satellite rights. Netflix reportedly acquired post-theatrical streaming rights for around ₹130 crore, while music and satellite rights fetched an additional ₹70–80 crore .
Context and Implications
This budget escalation underscores Bhansali’s commitment to cinematic grandeur and visual perfection. However, it also raises questions about the financial viability of such large-scale productions in today’s unpredictable theatrical market. As Filmfare notes, while Bhansali has always been a risk-taker, the current market dynamics make this a particularly bold gamble .
Summary
- Originally budgeted at ₹350 crore, Love & War has seen its production cost rise to approximately ₹425 crore due to extended shooting schedules and scale expansions .
- The lead actors—Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal—have opted for backend profit-sharing deals instead of upfront fees .
- Bhansali has already recovered around ₹200 crore through non-theatrical rights, including ₹130 crore from Netflix and ₹70–80 crore from music and satellite deals .
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.
