Storm Around Bhansali’s ‘Love & War’: FIR Filed After Dispute on Bikaner Shoot
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Love & War has faced legal trouble in Rajasthan. A line producer has filed an FIR against the director and his team over alleged fraud and misconduct. Here’s the full story.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali, celebrated for his lavish sets and intense dramas, is now in the news for reasons beyond cinema. His upcoming film Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, has been hit by a controversy after a line producer in Bikaner filed a case against him and two associates.
What Sparked the Dispute
The complainant, Prateek Raj Mathur, says he was brought in as the line producer during the Rajasthan schedule, responsible for handling logistics and local permissions. According to his account, he was later removed from the project without receiving payment. When he confronted the team at their hotel, he claims he was met with misbehaviour and intimidation.
The complaint lists charges including cheating, breach of trust, and harassment. Initially, police hesitated to lodge the case, but Mathur approached the court. Following the court’s directive, an FIR was officially filed on September 1 in the Bichhwal police station, Bikaner.
Police Action Underway
The case is now under investigation, with SHO Govind Singh Charan confirming that inquiries have begun. The charges extend not only to Bhansali but also to his team members, Arvind Gill and Utkarsh Bali. So far, no official statement has come from Bhansali’s production house.
The Film at the Centre of It All
Love & War is already one of the most anticipated films of 2026. Bhansali is reuniting with Ranbir Kapoor after Saawariya and with Alia Bhatt after Gangubai Kathiawadi, while Vicky Kaushal joins hands with the director for the first time. Early reports suggest Kapoor and Kaushal play IAF officers in a period romance framed against conflict.
Bhansali’s past films like Padmaavat also ran into roadblocks in Rajasthan. With this fresh legal tussle, the question is whether the film’s production will suffer delays or if the matter gets settled quickly. For now, the spotlight has shifted from the movie’s grandeur to its behind-the-scenes troubles.
