Sanjay Leela Bhansali faces an FIR in Bikaner, Rajasthan, over his Love & War project, filed by line producer Prateek Taj Mathur. The complaint accuses fraud, misbehavior and breach of trust, throwing a spotlight on production practices and payment disputes surrounding the film.
FIR Details and Allegations
The formal complaint was registered on Monday, September 1, by Mathur, who says he was hired to oversee line production for Love & War but was abruptly dropped from the project without payment after assuming multiple production duties.
Mathur claims Bhansali, along with producers Arvind Gill and Utkarsh Bali, cancelled his contract and removed him from the crew despite his role in lining up resources and coordinating with various government departments.
He recounts an episode where he tried to meet Bhansali’s team at a hotel but was reportedly met with disrespect and misbehavior. The FIR lists charges of fraud, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation, and Bichhwal SHO Govind Singh Charan is leading the investigation.
About the Love & War Project and Its Cast
Love & War is Bhansali’s ambitious project featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal in primary roles. The film reportedly casts Ranbir and Vicky as Indian Air Force pilots, with several sequences shot in Rajasthan.
A potential visual from the film was described as possibly premiering on Ranbir Kapoor‘s birthday, September 28, but it remains unclear whether this would be a first-look poster or a teaser featuring all three actors. The movie is slated for a theatrical release in March 2026.
Impact on Production and Next Steps
The FIR raises questions about how production duties were managed and the professional conduct of those involved, potentially affecting the project’s schedule, budgeting and team dynamics.
There has been no public response yet from Bhansali or the production unit, and investigators in Bikaner continue to review the allegations.
Industry Watch and Outlook
As the legal process unfolds, industry observers will be watching how disputes of this scale influence large-budget projects, talent collaborations, and shoot plans in Rajasthan, with the fate of Love & War remaining uncertain until the case is resolved. The case is being tracked in part through press reports, including updates tied to PTI.
