February 24 marks 63th birthday for Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is currently busy filming Love & War, the much-anticipated love triangle starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. On the occasion, the filmmaker spoke about his ambition with his upcoming film, and his relationship with work. 

In an official statement, talking about being driven towards work as he has grown older, the Gangubai Kathiawadi filmmaker said, “Work is all that I have to define my identity. When I am workless, I feel worthless. I’m more adventurous and fearless as an artist now. Today, I am working harder than I did five or 10 years ago. I put in nearly 20 hours every day, and I am enjoying it.” While he did not give any more details about the project, the filmmaker added, “I am trying to do something special here.”

The filmmaker has reportedly shot two big-scale musical sequences for his film recently, further raising anticipation around the project. Billed as a period love-triangle, Love & War promises to be classical and old-school in his styling. In previous interviews, Bhansali has acknowledged the Raj Kapoor film Sangam to be a major influence on the film, while confirming that his project is not a period film.

Love & War was officially announced in January 2024. The film also marks Bhansali’s reunion with Ranbir Kapoor after a gap of 19 years, after the actor’s debut film Saawariya (2007).