A significant legal development has emerged in Bikaner, Rajasthan: a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and two associates in connection with his upcoming film Love & War. The complaint was filed by Prateek Raj Mathur, who had been assigned the role of line producer but alleges serious misconduct in how the project was handled.
The Allegations
Mathur claims he was officially contracted to manage the line production but was abruptly removed from the project without receiving due payment. He asserts that he had already coordinated important production logistics—liaising with government bodies and making shoot arrangements—when, upon attempting to meet with the film team at a hotel, he experienced unprofessional behavior from Bhansali and others.
Based on these allegations, a local court directed the Bichhwal police station in Bikaner to register an FIR. The charges include fraud, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation, and name Bhansali alongside producers Arvind Gill and Utkarsh Bali. The Bichhwal circle office has confirmed that the FIR has been lodged, and the police inquiry is currently under the supervision of SHO Govind Singh Charan.
Film in Focus: Love & War
Love & War is shaping up to be a high-profile cinematic venture. Described as an epic saga, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, with the male leads portraying Indian Air Force pilots. Filming has been underway across Rajasthan for much of the year, with a monumental face-off sequence between Ranbir and Vicky on the horizon. The film is slated for a theatrical release on March 20, 2026.
