**Alia Bhatt to Lead Karan Johar’s Next Film; Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal May Co-Star**
*By Shreya Mukherjee | October 7, 2025 | 10:36 AM*
Filmmaker Karan Johar is reportedly preparing for his directorial comeback with a romantic drama following his last project, *Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani* (2023). According to reports, Alia Bhatt has been cast as the female lead. Meanwhile, actors Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal are in talks for the male lead roles, according to Mid-Day.
This film would mark Johar’s third collaboration with Bhatt, after *Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani* and *Student of the Year*. Additionally, Johar’s production company, Dharma Productions, has backed several films led by Bhatt.
### Actor Collaborations and Connections
Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Alia Bhatt share a history of working together in various projects. Kapoor and Kaushal have previously worked with Bhatt in films such as *Brahmastra* (2022) and *Raazi* (2018), respectively. Currently, the trio is shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film *Love & War*, scheduled for release in March 2026.
*Love & War* is described as a dramatic love triangle set against a wartime backdrop. Separately, Kapoor and Kaushal have shared screen space before in the film *Sanju* (2018).
### Filming Details: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Takes ‘Love & War’ International
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is reportedly planning to film the climax of *Love & War* in Sicily, Italy. A source told Pinkvilla, “Sanjay Leela Bhansali is going international with *Love & War*. The director is going to shoot the climax scene of the film in Sicily, Italy. It’s planned as a massive schedule across the city, making this one of the grandest shoots of the film.”
The team has already completed over 120 days of filming on an extensive set in Mumbai, setting the stage for a highly anticipated release.
Stay tuned for more updates on Karan Johar’s next directorial venture and the exciting projects involving these top Bollywood stars.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/alia-to-lead-karan-johar-s-next/story