Love and War: Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal’s striking pilot avatars spark online buzz

The article discusses the first-look photo of Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal in Air Force uniforms for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama, Love and War, which has sparked a massive, yet polarising, debate among fans online about the actors' appearances.

TellychakkarTeam on Thu, 11/27/2025 - 22:12

MUMBAI: Anticipation is soaring for filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming magnum opus, Love and War, which is set for a major 2026 release.

The project is historic for being the first collaboration among three major stars: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and Alia Bhatt.

(ALSO READ: Vicky Kaushal clarifies first meeting with Katrina Kaif: ‘It didn’t happen where people think’ )

The buzz surrounding the film reached a fever pitch recently when a behind-the-scenes photograph featuring the two leading male actors surfaced online, immediately inciting a frenzy of mixed reactions across social media platforms.

The highly-discussed image, which quickly went viral, shows both Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal dressed in full Air Force uniforms, complete with matching moustaches and aviator sunglasses, standing confidently beside a fighter jet, specifically a MiG-21.

An industry account that shared the image noted that the moment captured Ranbir and Vicky flying "alongside the MiG-21 one last time" for the project, reflecting a "historic moment as the iconic jet makes its final takeoff."

You can see the post here:

Exclusive: #RanbirKapoor and #VickyKaushal fly alongside the MiG-21 one last time for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's #LoveAndWar, capturing a historic moment as the iconic jet makes its final takeoff! pic.twitter.com/MhYCIzBiNU
— The Climax India (@TheClimaxIndia) November 26, 2025

Fans observed how uncannily similar the two men looked, essentially "twinning" in their striking pilot ensembles, further heightening the excitement and speculation about their roles.

While many followers expressed keen anticipation and appreciation for the actors' intense new appearances, the look also triggered a noticeable wave of disappointment and criticism from some fans.

On social platforms, users quickly began debating the effectiveness of the costuming and makeup.

One user expressed strong dissatisfaction with one of the stars, writing, "Boy, this is a terrible look for Vicky. I don't know what happened to him.

In Raazi, he was endearing with the moustache look, too. So what's with the glow down?"

Another person joked about the resemblance to video game characters, stating, "Sorry, but what's with this Bhoona hua Vicky and Ranbir with that muchhi is looking like the Mario game guy."

Other detractors simply dismissed the actors' presence, commenting, "Zero aura," and asking about the creative decision behind the facial hair, "Bhansali, what did you think when you gave them the moustache look?"

Despite the strong critiques, an equally passionate segment of the audience loved the powerful and regal Air Force aesthetics.

Positive comments poured in, with fans celebrating the stars' sharp looks.

One fan enthusiastically wrote, "RK looking like IAF officer... Handsome too," while another simply added, "RK looks amazing."

Love and War is understood to be a complex love triangle drama set against the high-stakes backdrop of a wartime era.

The plot is rumoured to centre on two officers, played by Ranbir and Vicky, and the woman caught between them, played by Alia Bhatt.

The film is expected to feature the director's signature blend of grand visuals, intense emotional depth, and period detailing when it arrives in cinemas.

You can see the post here:

Excited because Ranbir’s gonna bring that effortless aura and the acting masterclass #LoveAndWar pic.twitter.com/WZFJgKoDDc
— ZeMo (@ZeM6108) November 26, 2025