Sanjay Leela Bhansali And Dhanush Join Forces For Mythological Jungle Drama; Deets Inside

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has signed Tamil superstar Dhanush for a large-scale mythological jungle drama, according to an exclusive report by Variety. The film will be produced under the Bhansali Productions banner with P.S. Mithran set to direct. Mithran, who is known for helming Tamil hits like Sardar and Irumbu Thirai, will make his Hindi cinema debut with this project. This collaboration brings together the cinematic scale of Bhansali with the performance caliber of Dhanush for an ambitious saga rooted in mythology.

The project originated after initial plans for a Rowdy Rathore sequel between Mithran and Bhansali Productions did not materialize. Following several months of script refinement, the team settled on a mythological narrative set against a jungle backdrop. While Telugu star Ram Charan was reportedly in initial discussions for the lead role, the collaboration eventually moved toward Dhanush. For the actor, this marks his most expansive Bollywood venture following his successful track record with films like Raanjhanaa and Tere Ishk Mein.

The filming for this untitled saga is scheduled to commence in early 2027. This timeline allows Dhanush to complete his extensive commitments in the South, which include Rajkumar Periyasamy's D55, a project with Mari Selvaraj, and the highly anticipated Vada Chennai 2. Meanwhile, the actor is also preparing for the immediate release of his period action thriller, Kara, which hits theaters this Friday. While there were earlier discussions regarding a biopic of APJ Abdul Kalam, the status of that production remains uncertain at this stage.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently in the final stages of his most anticipated contemporary project, Love & War, which is officially set for a worldwide release on January 21, 2027. Positioned for the lucrative Republic Day holiday weekend, the film marks a massive reunion, bringing together Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. This project is a significant milestone as it reunites Ranbir with Bhansali eighteen years after his debut in Saawariya and follows Alia's successful stint in Gangubai Kathiawadi. Departing from his signature period epics, Bhansali has described this triangular love story as a contemporary film with no pillars, period costumes, or horses. Instead, the narrative reportedly features Ranbir and Vicky as Air Force officers caught in a conflict of love and duty. While trade speculation initially suggested it might be a remake of the 1964 classic Sangam, the filmmaker has clarified it is an original story that serves as an homage to that era of storytelling.

The production of Love & War is nearing completion, with over 90% of the principal photography already finished as of April 2026. Alia Bhatt has reportedly wrapped her portions, while the leading men have undergone intense physical transformations; Ranbir shed 12 kgs and Vicky dropped 15 kgs to portray disciplined military officers. Despite its modern setting, the film remains a magnum opus featuring high-end VFX for its aerial and war sequences. The movie is planned for a pan-India release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, ensuring a massive footprint across the domestic box office. With Bhansali completing this schedule by mid-2026, the stage is set for him to transition into his mythological jungle drama with Dhanush by early 2027.

Bhansali Productions is currently expanding its portfolio with several high-budget projects, including the Madhubala biopic starring Sara Arjun and the historical drama Jai Somnath, which is set against the events of 1025-1026 CE. The newly announced mythological drama with Dhanush adds another major prospect to the studio's 2027 calendar. This partnership aims to leverage Bhansali's production scale with Dhanush’s appeal across markets, making it a key theatrical title for the pan-India box office.