FIR filed against Sanjay Leela Bhansali over fraud and misbehaviour allegations
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An FIR has been registered against filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and two of his team members in Rajasthan’s Bikaner.
The complaint, filed by Hospitality CEO Prateek Raj Mathur, accuses the director of fraud, breach of trust, and misbehaviour during the production of his upcoming film Love & War.
Police said the FIR was lodged at Bichhwal police station on Monday following a court order. The charges include fraud, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation against Bhansali, Arvind Gill, and Utkarsh Bali.
Mathur alleged that Bhansali had given him responsibilities as the film’s line producer but later removed him from the project without payment. He said he had made arrangements for the shoot, handled security for the cast, and coordinated with government departments. Though Bhansali Productions never signed a formal contract with him, Mathur said he received an email confirming his role.
On August 17, Mathur claimed he was mistreated when he went to meet the film’s team at Narendra Bhawan Bikaner. He alleged Bhansali, along with managers Arvind Gill and Utkarsh Bali, pushed and insulted him, and threatened that his company’s future projects would be at risk. Initially, no police case was filed, but Mathur later approached the court, which directed the cops to register his complaint. Police said the matter is under investigation.
Love & War is described as an “epic saga” and stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.
The film is scheduled for release in 2026.
The film also marks Ranbir’s reunion with Bhansali after his 2007 debut Saawariya. Earlier, Ranbir had assisted Bhansali on the sets of Black (2005). Alia teams up with Bhansali again after her acclaimed role in Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022).
Vicky Kaushal, meanwhile, works with Bhansali for the first time. He reunites with Ranbir after Sanju (2018) and with Alia after Raazi (2018). Both actors portray Indian Air Force officers in the triangular love story. Bhansali, who has previously filmed projects like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Bajirao Mastani (2015), and Padmaavat (2018) in Rajasthan, is expected to continue that tradition with Love & War.
