Love & War: Vicky Kaushal's first look is sharp, smoky and intense

Vicky Kaushal’s first-look poster from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War leans on intensity and charm, with the actor shown holding a cigarette and a lighter and wearing an unflinching gaze. The reveal, shared by the makers on social media, is the latest character introduction from the film, which stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Kaushal and is set for a worldwide release on January 21, 2027.

Kaushal’s poster comes after the first-look reveals of Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, both of which created considerable buzz on social media. Together, the three posters offer distinct glimpses into the world of Love & War, with Kaushal’s entry adding a sharper, more intense note to the film’s visual campaign.

Sharing Kaushal’s first-look poster, the makers wrote, "Nazre milengi, lekin hatengi nahin (Eyes will meet, but they won't look away) Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War on January 21, 2027. See you at the movies! (sic)" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bhansali Productions (@bhansaliproductions)

Before Kaushal’s poster arrived, the spotlight had turned to Alia Bhatt’s cabaret-themed first look, which was released a day after Ranbir Kapoor’s posters from the film.

Veteran actor Zeenat Aman was among the first to respond, writing, "Well, well, SLB (Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali) has unleashed a showgirl! (sparkle and purple heart emojis)." She also shared the poster on her Instagram stories and wrote, "The 70s are back and cabaret never looked this good (sic)."

Bhatt replied, "@thezeenataman Thank you so much, Zeenat Ma’am (yellow heart emoji) We’ve spoken about you countless times on set, so this feels extra special (sparkle emojis)".

Her first official look was unveiled through two posters, both showing her performing on stage in a dramatic feathered headdress, a crop top, a skirt with a thigh-high slit and boots.

Shortly after Bhatt’s first look was unveiled, an alleged video from Love & War surfaced online and began circulating on social media. The performer’s face was not clearly visible, but the outfit appeared similar to the one seen in Bhatt’s posters, leading to speculation that it could be one of the cabaret sequences featuring her. The makers have not confirmed whether the clip is genuinely from Love & War.About the film

Love & War is directed, written, produced, edited and composed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. While little is officially known about the story, it is rumoured to be a love story set against the backdrop of war. Leaked looks had earlier indicated that Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal play military officers.

The film has also seen several changes to its release schedule. It was initially slated to arrive around Christmas 2025 before being pushed to March 2026. The release was later postponed again, and it is now set to arrive in cinemas on 21st January 2027.

The project brings Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal together for the first time in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. It also marks Bhansali’s reunion with Ranbir nearly two decades after Saawariya (2007), and another collaboration with Bhatt after Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). Ranbir and Vicky have previously worked together in Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju (2018), while Alia and Vicky starred together in Meghna Gulzar’s Raazi (2018). Ranbir and Alia were also seen together in Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (2022).- EndsALSO READ | Love & War: Ranbir Kapoor is all rugged charm in film's vintage second poster