Be it Lahore’s Heera Mandi for Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar (2024) or Gujarat for Ram Leela (2013), Sanjay Leela Bhansali has a way of recreating worlds for the silver screen. This time, the filmmaker has recreated Italy of the 1970s in the heart of Mumbai. While Bhansali had planned a 45-day Italy schedule for Love & War, sources tell mid-day that the filmmaker had a change of heart and recently shot the portions of the Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal-starrer at a studio near Royal Palms in Goregaon.
In early October, Bhansali kicked off the latest schedule of the love triangle that is set in the 1970s. A stunning set of an Italian club was erected for the scenes originally planned to be shot in the European country. A source close to the production revealed, “The Italy schedule was turning out to be logistically complex and would have taken a lot more time to execute. Bhansali wanted to maintain the opulence, while having firm control over the setting. So, he decided to recreate the portions on a set in Mumbai. He conducted a 10-day stint with his lead actors before Diwali.”
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt; (right) Vicky Kaushal
The unit is currently on a short break. By the end of October, the filmmaker and his actors will return to the world of Love & War for its final 20-day schedule. It looks like Bhansali has saved the toughest for the last — the climax. The insider added, “This leg is crucial as the leads will film portions of the climax. After Alia’s pictures from the set leaked a few days ago, the director made it clear that he doesn’t want any of his actors’ looks or details to make their way online. So, the production team will share details of the venue with the unit only closer to the shoot.” Bhansali is planning to wrap the film by mid-December for its March 2026 release.