Kareena Kapoor Khan recently offered a candid glimpse into her dynamic with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, describing it as "love and war". This revelation came during a conversation with Vicky Kaushal for The Hollywood Reporter, where they discussed Bhansali's upcoming film "Love & War," starring Kaushal alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt.

During the chat, Kareena expressed her eagerness to see Vicky in a Bhansali film, acknowledging Bhansali's stature in the industry. She then playfully declared, "Love and war is actually me and Sanjay. You can tell him that. He will understand. We have love and war.” Vicky, taken by surprise, inquired about the current status of their relationship – "love or war?" With a smile, Kareena responded, "We are always fluctuating."

Kareena and Bhansali share a long and complex professional history, despite never having worked together on a full-fledged project. Kareena was initially considered for the role of Paro in "Devdas," but creative differences led to her departure, with Aishwarya Rai eventually taking on the role. Years later, she was also in talks for "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela," but that project also fell through, with Deepika Padukone ultimately playing the lead.

Despite these missed opportunities, there appears to be mutual respect between Kareena and Bhansali. The "love and war" dynamic likely stems from the creative clashes and the near misses, but also from a shared understanding and appreciation for cinema.

Vicky Kaushal, who is working with Bhansali on "Love & War," shared his experience of collaborating with the director, describing it as a great learning opportunity. He spoke of Bhansali's curiosity and dedication to cinema, noting how the director inspires actors to explore creatively until the final shot. Kareena responded by saying how lucky Vicky was to be around such good cinema. Vicky concurred, adding that Bhansali constantly explores a scene until the last moment, always seeking new ideas.

"Love & War" marks Bhansali's return to a large-scale love story, reuniting him with Ranbir Kapoor after "Saawariya." With Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal also on board, the film promises to be an epic romantic saga set against a backdrop of conflict. The film is scheduled for release in early 2026.