Acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has landed in legal trouble after an FIR was lodged against him and two associates in Rajasthan’s Bikaner. The case stems from allegations of fraud, misbehavior, and breach of trust made by Prateek Raj Mathur, CEO of a hospitality firm, who claims he was wrongfully removed as the line producer of Bhansali’s upcoming film Love & War.
The Complaint: Breach of Trust and Alleged Misconduct
According to the complaint, Mathur stated that Bhansali Productions initially engaged him as a line producer for the film, assigning him responsibilities ranging from security arrangements for the cast to liaisoning with government departments for the shoot in Bikaner. He asserted that while he never received a formal signed contract, he was given an email confirmation of his role.
Final Call: Be DPDP Act Ready with FCRF’s Certified Data Protection Officer Program
However, Mathur alleges that when he visited the film’s unit at Narendra Bhawan Bikaner on August 17, he was confronted by Bhansali and his team, including Utkarsh Bali and Arvind Gill, who allegedly misbehaved with him, pushed and insulted him, and even threatened his company’s future prospects in the industry.
The FIR was registered at Bichhwal police station under sections relating to fraud, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation, following a court directive.
Court Intervention and Police Action
Initially, no complaint was filed by the police. Mathur then approached the local court, which instructed the police to take cognizance of the matter. Acting on the order, the FIR was officially lodged against Bhansali and his associates on Monday.
Police officials confirmed that the case involves charges of fraudulent removal from the project without payment, despite Mathur having already executed crucial preparatory work for the film. Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the allegations and whether contractual lapses or financial misappropriations were involved.
Bhansali Productions has not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of publishing.
Love & War: A High-Profile Film Under Shadow
Love & War, billed as an “epic saga”, is among the most anticipated films in Bollywood, featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal in lead roles. The film is scheduled for a 2026 theatrical release, marking significant reunions: Ranbir with Bhansali after his 2007 debut Saawariya, and Alia with Bhansali after her 2022 blockbuster Gangubai Kathiawadi.
The project also reunites real-life couple Ranbir and Alia onscreen after Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022). Interestingly, Ranbir once assisted Bhansali as an AD on Black (2005), where he conducted Alia’s childhood audition—making Love & War a nostalgic convergence of their journeys.
For now, however, the film’s production faces an unexpected cloud of controversy as the legal case unfolds in Rajasthan.