Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War not a remake of Sangam; filmmaker dismisses rumors: ‘You should not remake Sholay…’

Every Sanjay Leela Bhansali announcement creates a frenzy among both the general audience and cinephiles. The filmmaker is one of the most revered in the industry, known for delivering Magnum Opuses, which only adds to the excitement. Recently, he gave us the Netflix star-studded series Heeramandi, and shortly after, he announced his next Magnum Opus starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal in the lead roles. Titled Love & War, the movie has quickly become one of the most anticipated films in the country. However, after the announcement, rumors circulated that the movie was a remake of the 1964 hit film Sangam. Now, Bhansali has decided to put those rumors to rest, clarifying that his film is not a remake. 

Love & War Is Not a Sangam Remake

For those unfamiliar, Sangam was released in 1964 and remains one of the cult classics of Indian cinema. The film featured Raj Kapoor, Vyjayanthimala, and Rajendra Kumar in the lead roles. After the announcement of Love & War, many speculated that its plot was quite similar to Sangam. However, Bhansali has firmly dismissed those rumors. Read on for more details.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Sanjay Leela Bhansali addressed the rumors of Love & War being a remake of Sangam. The filmmaker was quick to clarify that his movie is not a remake of any film, especially not the 1964 classic. He said, “You should not remake Sholay or Mother India. So, why would I remake Sangam?”

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Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Love & War Being a Challenging Film

Bhansali also conveyed his excitement about the project, adding, “It’s a very, very special film because it’s not a period piece—there are no pillars, no costumes, no horses. It’s contemporary. It’s different, the music is different.” He went on to express his admiration for his three lead actors. He mentioned that there is still much left to explore in Alia Bhatt’s capabilities, expressed his happiness in working with Vicky Kaushal, and voiced his excitement about reuniting with Ranbir Kapoor after 18 long years.

However, Bhansali also described Love & War as a challenging film, stating that it will take time to complete. “It’s a difficult film for me, so I will take my time to make it properly and carefully. I won’t take myself, my great actors, or my audience for granted,” Bhansali shared. Originally set for a Christmas 2025 release, Love & War is now scheduled to hit theaters in March 2026.

Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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