Ranbir’s ‘Love & War’ First Look Beats ‘Ramayana’ in Fan War
Bhansali’s gritty Ranbir wins round one as Ramayana struggles under the weight of divinity and VFX dejavu
Ranbir Kapoor’s first-look poster for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War has sparked intense debate, drawing direct and highly favourable comparisons with his other mega-project, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana.
Fans and trade analysts have praised the Bhansali poster for its distinct typography and raw, old-school cinematic language. Ranbir is seen with a thick, rugged moustache, blood-stained sleeves and combat-ready goggles. The look leans on practical character design and a tangible atmosphere, striking a chord with fans keen to see a fresh, grounded avatar.
In contrast, early glimpses of Ramayana faced online scrutiny. Social media users and critics felt several visuals, from palace courts to falling arrows, looked heavily derivative of Hollywood franchises like The Dark Knight Rises, Dune and The Avengers due to aggressive VFX usage.
The consensus is that Bhansali has tapped into a never-before-seen, lethal and layered persona for Ranbir. His Ramayana look, meanwhile, has carried the burden of audience expectations around the portrayal of a mythological deity, triggering polarised debate over the casting.