**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 hit, *Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani* (2023). According to reports, Alia Bhatt will play the female lead in this new project.
Meanwhile, actors Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal are in talks for the male lead roles, as per Mid-Day. This film would mark Johar’s third collaboration with Bhatt, after their work together in *Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani* and *Student of the Year*. Johar’s Dharma Productions has also produced several films starring Bhatt.
### Actor Connections
Interestingly, Kapoor, Kaushal, and Bhatt have all previously worked with one another. Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal have each co-starred with Bhatt in films like *Brahmastra* (2022) and *Raazi* (2018), respectively. Currently, the trio is shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming film *Love & War*, which is slated for release in March 2026.
Described as a dramatic love triangle set against a wartime backdrop, *Love & War* brings together these talented actors in a compelling narrative. Additionally, Kapoor and Kaushal shared screen space earlier in the film *Sanju* (2018).
### Film Details: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s International Vision
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 shooting on an expansive set in Mumbai, promising a visually spectacular cinematic experience.
Stay tuned for more updates on both Karan Johar’s upcoming romantic drama and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s *Love & War.*
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