Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama Love & War will film in Madhya Pradesh, at a British-era army base. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, it releases in 2026.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s highly anticipated period drama Love & War is gearing up for its next phase of filming in Madhya Pradesh. After extensive shoots in Mumbai and planned sequences in Europe, the production is set to utilise a British-era army base in the town of Mhow to capture the film’s authentic period setting.
According to sources familiar with the project, the filmmakers have chosen Mhow, a town known for its colonial military heritage, as a primary location to depict artillery and military life from the pre-independence era. The location’s preserved British army base offers an ideal backdrop that aligns with the film’s historical narrative.
“The team will be shooting for close to 15 days here, with major portions requiring Vicky Kaushal and Ranbir Kapoor. As of now, they are on standby waiting for the permissions. Once that is cleared, they will fly to MP to kick-start the shoot,” said an insider to India Today.
Mhow, also called Dr Ambedkar Nagar after its most famous son, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, lies about 23 kilometers from Indore. Established in 1818 by John Malcolm, the town served as the headquarters of the 5th (Mhow) Division of the Southern Command during British rule. Today, it remains a significant center for the Indian Army, housing three premier military training institutions.
The acronym Mhow is popularly understood to mean ‘Military Headquarters Of Warfare,’ reflecting its longstanding martial importance.
Following the shoot in Madhya Pradesh, the Love & War team plans to travel to Italy in October for further filming. The production aims to complete shooting before the end of 2025, despite reports of earlier delays.
Set against the backdrop of a fictional war, Love & War is reportedly a passionate love story exploring the intricacies of friendship, relationships, and sacrifice. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, a real-life couple, alongside Vicky Kaushal. This upcoming release is slated for 2026
