Alia Bhatt’s ‘Love & War’ First Look: Alia Bhatt has once again managed to make the internet stop and look.
After the makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s much-awaited Love & War introduced Ranbir Kapoor in an intense, bruised, and retro avatar, the spotlight has now shifted to Alia. Her first look from the film is every bit as dramatic as audiences would expect from a Bhansali production—but it also leaves behind one big question: what exactly is Alia’s character hiding?
The first-look posters, released on September 25, show Alia in a glamorous, cabaret-inspired avatar featuring a dramatic feathered headpiece, a sparkling red outfit and a lavish stage setting. Yet, despite all the glamour, the makers have deliberately revealed very little about her role.
And that mystery may be the most interesting part of the reveal.
Alia Bhatt Looks Completely Different in ‘Love & War’
The first thing that catches attention is Alia’s transformation.
In the posters, she appears in a striking retro-inspired costume with a dramatic headpiece and a stage-performance aesthetic. The rich red tones, elaborate styling, and theatrical atmosphere immediately create the kind of grand visual world audiences associate with Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
One poster presents Alia in a performance setting, while another brings her closer to the frame and puts greater emphasis on her expression and styling. The look suggests glamour and confidence, but the character herself remains largely unexplained.
That choice appears intentional.
Rather than releasing a poster packed with character information, the makers have offered audiences just enough to start asking questions.
Is Alia Playing a Cabaret Performer?
The first look certainly carries a cabaret-inspired visual language, but that does not necessarily mean the posters reveal Alia’s complete character.
Her feathered headpiece, stage-like setting, sparkling costume, and performance pose strongly suggest that the character is connected to an entertainment or performance world. However, the makers have not officially disclosed the complete details of her role.
That distinction is important because Love & War has remained relatively secretive about its story.
The first look creates an impression without giving away the larger narrative.
And with Bhansali behind the camera, appearances can often carry meanings that go well beyond what a single poster initially suggests.
The Look Has a Classic Bollywood Feel
There is a distinctly old-school quality to Alia’s styling.
The dramatic headpiece, glittering costume, deep red colour palette, and theatrical setting create an aesthetic that recalls the glamour of classic stage performances while still feeling contemporary.
The result is not simply a glamorous celebrity photoshoot. It feels like a carefully designed introduction to a fictional world.
That is one of the reasons the poster has generated so much discussion online. Viewers are not just reacting to Alia’s appearance—they are trying to figure out who this woman is within the story.
Ranbir Kapoor’s First Look Makes the Mystery Even Bigger
Alia’s reveal arrived just one day after Ranbir Kapoor’s first look.
And the contrast between the two posters could hardly be more noticeable.
Ranbir was shown behind the wheel of a vintage turquoise convertible, sporting a short haircut, slicked-back styling, round sunglasses and a pencil moustache. But the detail that immediately caught attention was his visibly bruised and bloodied arm.
His poster feels rugged, restrained and slightly dangerous.
Alia’s, meanwhile, is colourful, theatrical and glamorous.
Putting the two images side by side naturally makes audiences wonder how these seemingly different worlds will eventually collide.
What Is ‘Love & War’ About?
This is where the film becomes particularly intriguing.
The makers have kept the main storyline largely under wraps. Various reports have described the project as a period romantic war drama, with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal reportedly playing Indian Air Force officers whose lives become connected to Alia’s character. However, several details about the narrative and characters have not been officially revealed.
So far, the promotional campaign appears to be built around mystery.
Instead of explaining the entire plot, the makers are introducing the three central actors through contrasting visual identities.
Ranbir gets the mysterious vintage-car introduction.
Alia arrives through glamour and performance.
Vicky Kaushal’s character is still another major piece of the puzzle.
That slow reveal is naturally encouraging speculation without giving away the actual story.
Alia and Sanjay Leela Bhansali Are Reuniting
Love & War marks another collaboration between Alia Bhatt and Sanjay Leela Bhansali after their acclaimed 2022 film Gangubai Kathiawadi.
That earlier collaboration gave Alia one of the most distinctive characters of her career and earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Their reunion has therefore become one of the major talking points around Love & War.
This time, however, the visual world appears to be very different.
Instead of the character-driven period atmosphere associated with Gangubai Kathiawadi, Love & War appears to combine romance, glamour, conflict and a larger-scale dramatic setting.
Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal Together
The film brings together three major contemporary Hindi-film stars in the same Bhansali project.
Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal headline the film, making the casting itself a major attraction.
Interestingly, all three actors already share different professional connections.
Ranbir and Vicky previously appeared together in Sanju, while Alia and Vicky worked together in Raazi. Ranbir and Alia, meanwhile, have also shared the screen in Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva.
But Love & War puts the trio together under the direction of Bhansali, creating a combination audiences have not previously seen in this particular cinematic setting.
Why Alia’s First Look Is Getting So Much Attention?
There are several reasons the poster has created an immediate buzz.
First, the styling is dramatically different from the everyday looks audiences usually associate with Alia.
Second, the poster carries the unmistakable visual scale of a Bhansali production.
Third, the makers have revealed just enough information to generate curiosity while keeping the character’s backstory hidden.
And finally, the timing is part of the strategy.
The first look came immediately after Ranbir’s reveal, creating a continuing conversation around the film rather than dropping all three characters at once.
Zeenat Aman Reacts to Alia’s Retro Avatar
The look also caught the attention of veteran actress Zeenat Aman, whose own association with glamorous Hindi cinema makes her reaction particularly interesting.
After seeing Alia’s first look, Zeenat praised the Bhansali-created avatar and referred to the actress as a “showgirl.” She also described the look as bringing back the spirit of the 1970s and cabaret. Alia responded warmly, saying that Zeenat had been discussed many times on the sets of the film.
The exchange added another layer to the conversation around the poster.
It also underlined how strongly the first look draws from the visual language of an earlier era of Bollywood.
When Will ‘Love & War’ Release?
The film is currently scheduled to reach theatres worldwide on January 21, 2027.
It is planned for release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The production went through multiple schedules, with filming reported to have wrapped ahead of the theatrical release.
With the three principal characters now gradually being introduced, the promotional campaign is clearly beginning to gather momentum.
What Can We Expect From Alia in the Film?
It is still too early to make a complete judgment about Alia’s performance because the film has not been released and only the first look has been revealed.
But visually, the character appears to be far removed from some of the more grounded roles audiences have recently seen her play.
The theatrical costume, dramatic makeup, stage setting, and confident body language suggest a character who may have a strong connection to performance and spectacle.
Exactly how that persona fits into the romance and war narrative, however, remains one of the film’s biggest unanswered questions.
‘Love & War’ Movie Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film | Love & War |
| Director | Sanjay Leela Bhansali |
| Lead Cast | Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal |
| Genre | Romantic war drama |
| Alia’s First Look | September 25, 2026 |
| Current Release Date | January 21, 2027 |
| Languages | Hindi, Tamil and Telugu |
| Production | Bhansali Productions |
| Story Details | Largely kept under wraps |
Final Take
Alia Bhatt’s first look from Love & War does exactly what a good first look should do: it creates curiosity without explaining everything.
The glamorous retro styling immediately catches the eye, but the real intrigue lies in the mystery surrounding her character. When placed alongside Ranbir Kapoor’s bruised and rugged first look, the contrast becomes even more fascinating.
For now, audiences have the visuals—but very few answers.
And considering that Love & War is coming from Sanjay Leela Bhansali, that mystery is likely to remain one of the film’s biggest attractions until more of the story finally comes to light.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Alia Bhatt’s first look from ‘Love & War’?
Alia Bhatt’s first look shows her in a glamorous, retro-inspired, cabaret-style avatar with a dramatic feathered headpiece, sparkling red costume, and theatrical stage setting.
Who stars in ‘Love & War’?
The film stars Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal in the lead roles, with Sanjay Leela Bhansali directing the project.
What is ‘Love & War’ about?
The makers have kept the main story under wraps. Reports describe it as a romantic war drama, with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal reportedly playing Indian Air Force officers whose lives become connected to Alia Bhatt’s character.
When will ‘Love & War’ release?
Love & War is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on January 21, 2027. The film is planned to release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
Is Alia Bhatt playing a cabaret dancer?
The first-look posters have a strong cabaret and stage-performance aesthetic, but the makers have not officially revealed the full details of Alia’s character.
Have Alia Bhatt and Sanjay Leela Bhansali worked together before?
Yes. They previously collaborated on Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), which earned Alia the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Have Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal worked together before?
Yes. Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal previously appeared together in Sanju (2018).
Have Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal worked together before?
Yes. Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal previously starred together in Raazi (2018).
What was special about Ranbir Kapoor’s first look?
Ranbir was introduced behind the wheel of a vintage turquoise convertible, wearing a retro-inspired look. His bruised and bloodied arm became one of the most noticeable details in the poster.