SCOOP: Love & War REAL budget revealed; Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic costs Rs 350 cr, not Rs 425 cr.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is among the most celebrated directors of Indian Film industry, whose cinema has stood the test of time. His next, Love And War is a casting coup of the decade as the maverick filmmaker has brought Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal together for the first time. Earlier in the week, there were viral reports on how Love and War budget has shot up to Rs. 425 crores, and the production has gone into turmoil.

However, our reliable sources close to the project confirm that Love And War is proceeding as planned. "Love And War budgets have shot up for sure, but it happens with all Sanjay Leela Bhansali films. Initially, it was planned as a Rs. 250 crore epic, and the costs through the shoot have now shot up to Rs. 350 crores. SLB doesn't compromise on his vision, and he is passionately filming this, which he believes could be his best work to date. The Rs. 425 crore figure of cost of production is trying to harm the project on purpose, and there is no truth to the claims," a source shared with Bollywood Hungama.

The source told us further, "Unlike many high on VFX films, Love And War is largely shot on sets, with recreation of the era gone by. This doesn't cost much. Anyone who understands filmmaking would say that the Rs. 425 crore budget is a bluff. But truth finds its way, and it's for the people to know that Love And War is a Rs. 350 crore film, and the makers plan to splurge another Rs. 30 crore on marketing, taking total landing cost to Rs. 380 crore."

As for the release, Love And War will now be released in 2027, between the two Ramayana films. The shoot will be wrapped up by June.

Also Read: SCOOP: Ranbir Kapoor’s special request to Sanjay Leela Bhansali; release Love And War in June 2026

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R Madhavan and family escape Dubai shutdown: "We are all fine"

R Madhavan, his wife Sarita and son Vedaant, who are Dubai residents, got away from the current shutdown of the city.

The actor and his family are currently holidaying away from Dubai.

When this writer contacted Madhavan, he replied, “We are all fine. Thank you so much for the concern. I am in the US with the family.” Madhavan and his family intend to stay put in the US until Dubai returns to normal.

Kalpana Iyer, who is also a Dubai resident, confirmed to this writer that she is fine and safe.

Also Read: R Madhavan reveals how wife Sarita once ‘kicked him out’ during lockdown

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REVEALED: Kerala High Court cites Padmaavat, Aarakshan verdicts to clear The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’s release

On February 27, the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, comprising Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice P V Balakrishnan, stayed a Single Judge’s interim order that had halted the release of the film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond for 15 days.

The Single Judge had relied on excerpts from the film’s teaser to conclude that the content had the prima facie potential to disturb communal harmony and that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) may not have adequately applied its mind under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. However, the appellate Bench emphasized a critical constitutional principle: once the CBFC, a statutory expert body, has granted certification after viewing the film in its entirety, courts must ordinarily presume due application of mind.

In arriving at this conclusion, the Bench drew heavily from two landmark Supreme Court precedents. First, in Prakash Jha Productions v. Union of India, decided in 2011 in the context of the film Aarakshan, the Supreme Court held that once a film has been certified by the CBFC, States cannot suspend or prohibit its exhibition merely on apprehensions of law and order problems. The Court made it clear that maintaining public order is the responsibility of the State, not a ground to curtail certified expression.

Second, the Bench relied on Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India, the 2018 judgment concerning the film Padmaavat. In that case, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that creative content is protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. Once certification is granted, there exists a presumption that statutory guidelines, including those relating to public order and communal harmony, have been duly considered. States cannot pre-emptively block exhibition on speculative grounds.

The Kerala High Court noted that the petitioners had not viewed the film in full and were relying solely on teaser clippings. It further observed that the producer had incorporated modifications directed by the CBFC, reinforcing the inference of due scrutiny. Therefore, merely on the basis of selective excerpts, the finding of non-application of mind could not be sustained.

In Viacom18 Media Private Limited and others v. Union of India and others [(2018) 1 SCC 761], the Supreme Court of India stayed state-imposed bans (Gujarat, Rajasthan, etc.) on the film Padmaavat upholding freedom of expression. The court ruled that states cannot prohibit a film already certified by the CBFC, as maintaining law and order is a state responsibility, not a ground to curtail film exhibition.

Meanwhile, M/S Prakash Jha Productions & Anr vs Union Of India & Ors (2011) 8 SCC 372 is a landmark Supreme Court case affirming that state governments cannot ban films already certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The court held that once cleared, a film’s screening cannot be halted due to hypothetical public unrest, reinforcing freedom of speech.

Also Read: Kerala HC Division Bench lifts stay on The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond

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The Kerala Story 2 producer Vipul Shah says Kerala HC Division Bench’s final verdict is the “biggest proof of the truth of film”

Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah has stated that The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond does not target the state of Kerala or its people. His remarks came after the Kerala High Court Division Bench vacated the interim stay on the film’s release on Friday, February 27, clearing the path for its theatrical run.

Addressing the media shortly after the court’s decision, Shah said that the legal hurdle had been removed and screenings had begun. He described the film as a “true” account made after considerable effort and rejected allegations from certain quarters that it promotes propaganda.

“The Kerala High Court Division Bench has withdrawn the stay that we got yesterday. And they have cleared the way for the release of the film. Now our shows have already started opening. So I request the people that this is a true film made with a lot of hard work. And the biggest proof of the truth of our film is that the Kerala court has vacated the stay order. If our film was a lie, then the Kerala court would have seen it and the stay order would not have been vacated,” he said.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Kerala High Court Division Bench lifts the stay on the release of the film Kerala Story 2 Kerala Story 2 Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah says, "Neither our film, nor I, nor anyone in my team is against the state of Kerala or the people of Kerala. Kerala is a… pic.twitter.com/caiaeJcktn

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2026

Shah also expressed gratitude to the court on behalf of his team and appealed to audiences in Kerala to approach the film with an open mind. Emphasising that neither he nor his team holds any bias against the state—often referred to as ‘God’s Own Country’—he maintained that the intention behind the project was not to malign Kerala.

With the stay lifted, attention now shifts to the film’s release plans across theatres. The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond features Ulka Gupta, Aditi Bhatia, and Aishwarya Ojha in the lead roles.

An official update on its wider theatrical rollout is awaited.

Also Read: Kerala HC Division Bench lifts stay on The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond

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Sai Pallavi to replace Deepika Padukone in Kalki 2 after latter opts out over fee dispute

Sai Pallavi is clearly on a roll. After reportedly locking in the coveted role of Sita in Ramayana, she is also set to star opposite Junaid Khan in Ek Din. And there’s more. Sai Pallavi has now been finalised to replace Deepika Padukone in Nag Ashwin’s much-anticipated sequel, Kalki 2.

A member of the Kalki 2 cast confirmed the development, saying, “It is Sai (replacing Deepika). There was never any question of scrapping the role after Deepika’s exit.”

Deepika’s departure from the sequel reportedly followed a fallout with the team. According to sources, the actress sought a substantial hike in her remuneration for the sequel, along with specific working-hour conditions to accommodate her responsibilities as a new mother.

An insider revealed, “Deepika wanted almost 35 percent more for the sequel than what she received for the first film. It became difficult to align on terms. She eventually exited, and now Sai Pallavi has stepped in.”

While there has been no official statement from the makers, the casting shift is expected to significantly alter the dynamic of the sequel, which remains one of the most awaited big-ticket projects in the pipeline.

Also Read: Is Sai Pallavi replacing Deepika Padukone in Kalki 2898 AD sequel?

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Inside Bastian Beach Club: Shilpa Shetty expands her hospitality brand with Mumbai’s first all-day beachfront hub

Actor-entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty has expanded her hospitality portfolio with the launch of Bastian Hospitality’s first beach club in Mumbai. The new property, Bastian Beach Club, was unveiled alongside founder Ranjit Bindra at the iconic Sun-n-Sand in Juhu.

Positioned as the city’s first all-day beachfront destination, the club brings together dining, music, leisure and wellness in one large-format space overlooking the Arabian Sea. With direct sea views and a sprawling pool at its centre, the venue aims to introduce a European-style beach club experience to Mumbai’s social circuit. Design and space Designed by Minal Chopra, the property draws aesthetic cues from coastal destinations such as Ibiza, Mykonos and Saint-Tropez. Open layouts, fluid indoor-outdoor transitions and a neutral coastal palette define the space, while the sea-facing deck and pool area serve as its visual anchor.

 

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During the day, the focus is on relaxed lounging. The club is designed to host brunches, family outings and curated children’s activities, alongside wellness-led mornings. As the evening progresses, the mood shifts to sundowners and live DJ-led sessions, eventually transitioning into a high-energy nightlife setting. The food programme The culinary direction combines popular dishes from Bastian’s existing menu with influences from Inka, offering Asian and Latin-inspired flavours. The small plates section includes dishes such as Veg Dry Corn Ceviche with chipotle and green apple, Like Guacamole with habanero, and Rock Broccolini tossed with curry leaf and chilli. Seafood options feature Hamachi Ceviche paired with sweet potato and tiger milk.

 

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Sushi, bao and dumplings form a key part of the menu, while larger plates include the Tropical Bowl with coconut milk and turmeric-spiced cottage cheese and Kinoko Hikari with wild mushrooms and truffle oil. Non-vegetarian offerings include the 5 Pimientas Chicken Bowl and Arabian Seabass Amazonico.

Desserts range from tiramisu and cheesecake to a hazelnut pull-me-up cake and a citrus-forward lime-lemon creation. Cocktail-led evenings The bar menu has been curated to complement the coastal theme. The Sakura Cloud Martini blends gin, sake and lychee topped with jasmine foam. Tigre Verde pairs vodka with coriander and citrus, while Pacific Breeze combines tequila with lemongrass, ginger and coconut water. The Shogun Mojito introduces shiso and sake into the classic mix.

 

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Bastian Beach Club is located at 39, Sun-n-Sand, Juhu Beach, Mumbai. It operates from Tuesday to Sunday, 4 pm to 1 am. The weekend cover charge is priced at Rs 5,000 per person.

Also Read: Shilpa Shetty performs puja for new Bastian outlet in Goa amid Rs 60 crores fraud case

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Shraddha Kapoor renews Juhu apartment lease at Rs 6 lakhs per month: Report

Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor has renewed the lease for an apartment in Mumbai’s Juhu locality, with a starting monthly rent of Rs. 6 lakhs, according to property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards on the website of the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) at https://ift.tt/zNB9f1r. The renewal deal was officially registered in February 2026.

Juhu is regarded as one of Mumbai’s most prestigious and sought-after real estate destinations, known for its premium residential environment and strong investment appeal. The locality features a blend of luxury apartments, sea-facing bungalows, and exclusive gated developments, attracting affluent homebuyers, celebrities, and long-term investors. Juhu enjoys excellent connectivity via the Western Express Highway, JVPD roads, and proximity to the domestic and international terminals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, along with easy access to key commercial hubs such as Bandra Kurla Complex, Andheri, and Santacruz. The area is also home to several high-profile residents and prominent personalities. Notable residents have included actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Varun Dhawan, and Hrithik Roshan.

According to property registration documents accessed by Square Yards, the same apartment in Prime Beach, Juhu, had earlier been taken on rent, with the deal officially registered in October 2024. The unit having an area of 365 sq. m. (3,929 sq. ft.). The agreement includes four car parking spaces and was registered with a stamp duty of Rs. 36,000 and registration charges of Rs. 1,000.

As per Square Yards’ analysis, the lease tenure is for 12 months. The agreed monthly rent starts at Rs. 6 lakhs, with the cumulative rental value over the full term at Rs. 72 lakhs.

Also Read: Saina Nehwal reveals Shraddha Kapoor was her first choice for biopic

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