Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming magnum opus Love and War, starring Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor, and Vicky Kaushal, is among the most anticipated films in Bollywood. While details about the film’s plot remain tightly under wraps, recent updates reveal that the director has chosen to recreate 1970s Italy in Mumbai instead of filming abroad.

As per a report in Mid Day, Bhansali had even planned a 45-day shooting in Italy to shoot important parts of the film. But the schedule was finally ditched because of logistical issues and lack of time. Instead, the director, famous for his visual magnificence and attention to detail, decided to take Italy to Mumbai by creating grand sets near Royal Palms in Goregaon.

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A source from the production revealed, “The Italy schedule was proving to be logistically complicated and would have taken considerably more time to execute. Bhansali wanted to be able to preserve the luxury while having tight control over the setting, so he decided to recreate the Italian surroundings in a controlled studio environment.

The report added that Bhansali started the new schedule of shooting in early October, centering around scenes shot in a rich Italian club. The director reportedly shot a 10-day schedule with his lead actors prior to Diwali. True to his signature style, Bhansali made sure that all the details — from costumes and set design to lighting — were in line with the spirit of 1970s Italy.

Also Read: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love And War: Alia Bhatt’s Look Leaked – See the Pics!

With Love and War, Bhansali brings together three powerhouse performers — Alia, Ranbir, and Vicky — for the first time, making it one of the most awaited collaborations in recent years. The film promises to deliver a rich cinematic experience marked by Bhansali’s signature grandeur, emotional intensity, and timeless storytelling.

Producer Dinesh Vijan, the creator of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe (MHCU), first struck gold with Stree starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. Since then, films like Bhediya, Munjya, Stree 2, and Thamma have expanded this supernatural yet comedic cinematic world. As fans eagerly await the next installment, Vijan recently explained the inspiration behind the MHCU and revealed why Stree 3 won’t release in 2026.

Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Vijan recalled advice he once received from Hollywood producer Chuck Roven, who told him to “keep films in a box” so that their worlds can logically connect. “When Stree happened, I understood — don’t change the physics if you want people to meet. That’s how the idea of the universe came,” Vijan said.

He emphasized that while all MHCU films are connected, they remain distinct in tone and story. “Munjya and Stree are completely different worlds. We are very conscious not to repeat. That’s why we’re not bringing Stree 3 next year. There’s a journey to it,” he explained. Comparing the MHCU to a “joint family,” Vijan described each film as a unique member with its own dynamics and relationships.

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Vijan also highlighted the creative challenge of maintaining individuality within the shared universe. “When you watch Thamma, you’ll see it’s nothing like Munjya. Each has a different conflict, emotion, and connection,” he said. Fans, he noted, have already begun theorizing about how the characters and stories intertwine — something the Maddock team is consciously developing.

Also Read: Get Ready for the Most Epic Fantasy Film of 2026: Pahadpangira Starring Shraddha Kapoor!

Following Thamma, the MHCU lineup includes Shakti Shalini, Bhediya 2, Stree 3, Chamunda, Maha Munjya, Pehla Mahayudh, and Doosara Mahayudh, promising a thrilling expansion of India’s first horror-comedy cinematic universe.

Fans of the iconic Munna Bhai duo — Sanjay Dutt as Munna and Arshad Warsi as Circuit — finally have reason to celebrate. After years of speculation, Munna Bhai 3 has officially been confirmed to be in development. In a recent conversation with SCREEN, Arshad Warsi shared fond memories of working with Sanjay Dutt and confirmed that director Rajkumar Hirani is actively working on the third instalment of the beloved franchise.

Speaking about his camaraderie with Sanjay Dutt, Arshad said, “Sanju is just mind-blowing. He’s a different kind of talent altogether. It was always so much fun being with him.” Recalling their time on set, Arshad added with a laugh, “I’m terrible at remembering scripts, but for Sanju, I had to remember the entire storyline just so I could remind him. Every day he would show up and ask, ‘Bro, what are we doing today?’ and I’d fill him in. What happened on screen was pure magic.”

On the highly anticipated Munna Bhai 3, Arshad confirmed, “Once, it seemed like it would never happen, but now Raju is seriously working on it. It seems like it should happen soon.”

Earlier, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra had also hinted at progress on the film, emphasizing the need to make the next instalment even better than the previous ones. “I have a unique idea,” he told SCREEN. “Over 100 years of cinema, everything has been said — but I’m working on something fresh.”

The news ends nearly two decades of uncertainty for fans who have long awaited a continuation of the cult classic franchise. The first two films — Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) and Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) — became cultural landmarks, blending humor, emotion, and social themes. Although a teaser titled Munna Bhai Chale America was released in 2007, it was shelved due to script issues. Now, hopes for the beloved duo’s grand return are stronger than ever.