Mumbai: In a candid moment, Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan offered a playful yet telling insight into her long-standing relationship with celebrated filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Referring to their dynamic during a conversation with actor Vicky Kaushal for The Hollywood Reporter India, Kareena remarked, “Of course, he is the Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and ‘Love & War’ is actually me and Sanjay. You can tell him that. He will understand. We have love and war.”

The statement sparked laughter from Vicky, who then asked Kareena about the current “status” of their bond, whether it was love or war. With her signature charm, Kareena replied, “We are always fluctuating,” and laughed.

While Bhansali’s upcoming film Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal, has generated major buzz for its star-studded cast and sweeping romance, Kareena’s tongue-in-cheek comment also hints at her history with the filmmaker, one filled with missed opportunities and creative differences.

Though the two have never worked together on a full-length feature, their professional history includes notable near-collaborations. Kareena was initially considered for Devdas, a role that eventually went to Aishwarya Rai and was also linked to Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela before opting out of the project. These unmaterialised ventures have long fueled speculation about their working dynamic.

Bhansali’s Love & War is set to be an epic romantic drama and marks his return to the genre following his recent OTT venture, Heeramandi. Scheduled for release in early 2026, the film promises an intense narrative centred around themes of passion, conflict, and sacrifice.