Entertainment Desk:

‘Love & War’ is going to be a big gamble for Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal at the box office. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film boasts grandeur like his previous magnum opus, but this time, the starcast makes it look bigger than what it is.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s cinema is not easy. The grandeur is mesmerising and so are the performances, which are often challenged by Bhansali’s ever-changing story and directions on the sets. However, his next, ‘Love & War’, seems like a delicious combination of his signature filmmaking style and the number-churning ability of the stars he has cast in the film.

A romantic drama at heart, the film appears to have got a lot to offer. But, nothing can take away from the fact that ‘Love & War’ has got three superstars who are gambling big with their combined presence in the film – Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal.

It’s important for the film to continue Bhansali’s blockbuster legacy at the box office, simply because ‘Love & War’ puts these stars in a crucial position, especially after the performance of their last respective films. This is Kapoor’s first after the mega-success of ‘Animal’, and Kaushal’s first too, after the terrific win that ‘Chhaava’ registered at the ticket window earlier this year. As for Bhatt, this is her one-way ticket to regain box office control following the failure of ‘Jigra’.

Interestingly, Bhatt established her position as an out-and-out box office superstar with ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, which was Bhansali’s last film, and his first with Alia Bhatt. For Kapoor, who is often celebrated as the only Bollywood superstar of his generation, ‘Love & War’ is his return to Bhansali’s epic world following his big debut with ‘Saawariya’ in 2007. It could be Kaushal’s first film with the revered director, and that makes this casting even more exciting.

One has to understand that this film doesn’t just reflect a big ball of stardom with three of the most sought-after actors headlining its cast, but it is also being seen as this giant performance-oriented drama. This is precisely because all three of these stars have proven their mettle as successful performers on the screen way early in their respective careers.

‘Love & War’ explores the same format that Bhansali’s previous films did. There’s melodrama, romance, emotion and a relationship-based conflict that turns the world upside down for our protagonists. It is being shot in Mumbai on elaborate sets with a larger-than-life appeal. And while not much is given away about the story, the expectations of it are higher than ever.

The film also reportedly features a cameo appearance by Deepika Padukone, which is likely to make the audience feel more excited about its theatrical arrival. ‘Love & War’ is set to hit the screens on March 20 next year.