Skip to main content

Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival

Mumbai | 23 Aug, 2026 | 04:18 PM IST | By DPIFF Editorial Desk
|

Ranbir Kapoor’s Upcoming Films: Ramayana, Love & War and More

Ranbir Kapoor is heading into one of the busiest and most ambitious phases of his career, with a slate that brings together mythology, large-scale fantasy, romantic drama and the possibility of a darker action sequel. A recent post by Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival highlighted four major projects linked to the actor: Ramayana: Part 1, Love & War, Brahmāstra Part Two: Dev and Animal Park.

The lineup is notable not simply because of its scale, but because each film belongs to a different cinematic world. Together, these projects position Kapoor at the centre of several high-profile productions expected to shape the conversation around mainstream Indian cinema over the next few years.

Ramayana: Part 1 leads Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming slate

Ramayana: Part 1 is scheduled to release on 6 November 2026, as noted in the DPIFF post. The film is being developed as an ambitious screen adaptation of the Indian epic and is directed by Nitesh Tiwari, known for films including Dangal and Chhichhore.

Kapoor is set to play Lord Ram in the project, which has attracted considerable attention for its scale, visual effects work and ensemble cast. Sai Pallavi is associated with the role of Sita, while Kannada star Yash has been linked to the role of Ravana. The production is being mounted with international visual-effects ambitions, making it one of the most closely watched Indian film projects currently in development.

The significance of Ramayana extends beyond its release date. Adapting a culturally influential epic for a contemporary theatrical audience requires a careful balance between familiar traditions and cinematic interpretation. The film’s reception will therefore depend not only on performances and spectacle, but also on how thoughtfully it presents a story known across generations.

Love & War brings Ranbir Kapoor into Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s period drama

Kapoor’s next major announced release is Love & War, scheduled for 21 January 2027. The film marks his collaboration with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whose body of work is closely associated with elaborate production design, musical storytelling and emotionally intense period narratives.

The film features Kapoor alongside Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Its casting has generated particular interest because it brings together three prominent contemporary performers in a project led by one of Hindi cinema’s most distinctive directors. For Kapoor, the film also represents an opportunity to work within a performance-driven dramatic framework that differs sharply from the mythology and action-oriented projects elsewhere in his slate.

Bhansali’s films typically place substantial emphasis on character relationships, visual detail and music. That combination makes Love & War an important addition to Kapoor’s filmography, especially after a period in which the actor has increasingly moved between commercial spectacle and more complex, morally conflicted roles.

Brahmāstra Part Two: Dev continues the Astraverse

The DPIFF post also lists Brahmāstra Part Two: Dev among Kapoor’s upcoming projects, with production planning currently underway. The film is expected to continue the fantasy universe introduced by Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, in which Kapoor played Shiva.

The first film introduced the idea of an Astraverse built around ancient weapons, supernatural abilities and a battle between opposing forces. A second instalment centred on Dev could expand the mythology and provide further context for the conflict established in the opening chapter. However, the project’s production status and eventual release schedule remain subject to official confirmation.

Franchise filmmaking of this scale presents both opportunities and challenges. A sequel must broaden its world without losing emotional clarity, while also giving audiences a compelling reason to return. The continuation of Brahmāstra will be watched closely as an example of how Indian filmmakers develop a long-form fantasy property for theatrical audiences.

Animal Park could extend one of Kapoor’s most debated roles

Animal Park, expected in 2028 according to the DPIFF post, is linked to Kapoor’s character from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. The 2023 film became a major commercial and cultural talking point, with Kapoor’s performance as Ranvijay Singh Balbir receiving widespread attention and the film provoking debate over violence, masculinity and family dynamics.

A follow-up would place the character in a new narrative phase while continuing the world established by the first film. The title and sequel plans have been publicly discussed, but the 2028 timeframe should be treated as an expected window rather than a confirmed release date until the filmmakers or producers issue an official announcement.

The potential sequel also illustrates the changing nature of Kapoor’s mainstream image. His filmography has moved from romantic leads and coming-of-age roles to characters marked by obsession, aggression and psychological contradiction. Whether through mythology, fantasy or crime drama, his upcoming work reflects a willingness to occupy increasingly demanding commercial spaces.

Why the lineup matters for Indian cinema

Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming slate brings together four projects with very different audience propositions. Ramayana represents mythological storytelling at a large theatrical scale; Love & War is a major director-led drama; Brahmāstra is part of an expanding fantasy franchise; and Animal Park has the potential to build on an established action-crime property.

Such a concentration of high-profile films also reflects the growing importance of long-term planning in Hindi cinema. Large productions increasingly announce release windows years in advance, allowing studios to coordinate production, visual effects, marketing and international distribution. These timelines can change, but they indicate the scale of investment surrounding the projects.

For audiences, the appeal lies in the contrast between the films. Kapoor is not returning to one familiar formula; instead, he is attached to stories spanning mythology, romance, fantasy and crime. That range makes his forthcoming work relevant both as a career development and as a snapshot of the kinds of films currently being positioned as major theatrical events.

DPIFF Instagram reference

The upcoming slate was highlighted by Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival in its Instagram post, which listed the announced or expected timelines for the four projects. View the original post on DPIFF’s official Instagram page.

About Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival

Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival celebrates achievements across Indian and international cinema. Named after Dadasaheb Phalke, widely regarded as the father of Indian cinema, the festival recognises creative contributions across acting, direction, music, writing and other areas of filmmaking.

Through its official platforms, DPIFF also shares film-related developments, industry milestones and editorial coverage intended to connect audiences with the people and stories shaping cinema.

With four major projects spread across mythology, fantasy, romance and crime drama, Ranbir Kapoor’s next phase is defined by variety as much as scale. The release dates and production plans may evolve, but the slate already signals an unusually significant period for one of Hindi cinema’s leading actors.

Latest Articles