Ranveer Singh Heartbroken as Sanjay Leela Bhansali Chooses Ranbir Kapoor Over Him: A Friendship Ends in Bollywood

In an unexpected twist that has left Bollywood buzzing with shock and disbelief, the powerful professional bond between actor Ranveer Singh and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has reportedly come to a painful end. This fallout emerged after Bhansali, famous for creating cinematic masterpieces with Ranveer Singh, cast Ranbir Kapoor instead of him in his upcoming film Love and War.

For years, the cinematic magic created by Ranveer Singh and Sanjay Leela Bhansali has defined grandeur, passion, and box office success in Indian cinema. From Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela to Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat, each collaboration between the two had cemented Ranveer as the director’s muse and Bollywood’s unstoppable force. But today, their iconic partnership stands shattered, and the reason is as dramatic as any Bollywood script.

According to senior Bollywood journalist Subhash K. Jha, the rift began during the casting of Love and War. It was widely assumed in industry circles that Ranveer Singh would naturally bag the lead role, given his long-standing rapport with Bhansali and his proven track record of delivering powerful performances under the director’s guidance. However, in a move that no one saw coming, Bhansali offered the lead role opposite Alia Bhatt to Ranbir Kapoor instead.

The report further claims that while Ranveer was offered a secondary role in the film, he did not take this lightly. Known for his intense passion for acting and an uncompromising commitment to his craft, Ranveer allegedly insisted on being cast in the lead role. When Bhansali refused to change his decision and chose Vicky Kaushal for the second lead role instead, it left Ranveer deeply hurt and disillusioned.

The friendship that had blossomed into an artist-director relationship of rare depth is now reportedly cold and distant. The fallout is particularly shocking considering Ranveer Singh’s journey with Bhansali. Their combined vision created some of India’s grandest films, establishing Ranveer as the new-age superstar and Bhansali as the timeless visionary who could mould him into any role – from the fiery Ram to the dignified Bajirao and the ruthless Khilji.

Ironically, Ranbir Kapoor, the actor replacing Ranveer Singh in Love and War, has not always shared an amicable relationship with Bhansali. Ranbir’s Bollywood debut was with Bhansali’s Saawariya in 2007. Though the film failed at the box office, it launched Ranbir into the industry spotlight. However, post-release, Ranbir had openly criticised Bhansali’s working style, calling him a strict taskmaster who often crossed lines with his harsh methods.

In an old interview, Ranbir even revealed how Bhansali once made him kneel for an entire day and humiliated him to such an extent that he contemplated quitting the film. “I was treated like an assistant. I used to clean the set, carry things around. One day, he made me sit on my knees for hours. I felt so tortured that I almost decided to walk out of the film,” Ranbir had confessed candidly.

Despite this turbulent past, things seem to have changed. Reports suggest that Ranbir was persuaded by his wife, actress Alia Bhatt, to take up Bhansali’s film. Alia herself has worked with Bhansali in Gangubai Kathiawadi and shares a close bond with the director. Their combined persuasion seems to have convinced Ranbir to set aside past grievances and step into Bhansali’s cinematic world once again.

Meanwhile, for Ranveer Singh, this professional rejection is a bitter pill to swallow. After years of delivering hits for Bhansali, being offered a secondary role felt like an affront to his stature as an actor and the history they shared. Sources reveal that the disagreement turned into a heated argument, causing a deep rift between them.

Industry insiders are now wondering whether this fallout will affect Bhansali’s future projects. Ranveer Singh has always been considered Bhansali’s favourite, with many calling him the director’s “blue-eyed boy.” Their parting raises questions about Bhansali’s future casting preferences and whether his artistic journey will continue to echo the same grandeur without Ranveer’s ferocity on screen.

While Bhansali has chosen Ranbir Kapoor as the male lead, the second lead role has reportedly been finalised with Vicky Kaushal. This further alienated Ranveer, who was expecting to headline the project. Vicky Kaushal, known for his versatile acting, has already proved himself in critically acclaimed films and is set to add another powerful performance to his portfolio with Love and War.

Interestingly, the audience reaction to this news has been mixed. While many are excited to watch Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt share the screen again under Bhansali’s direction, others are heartbroken over Ranveer Singh’s absence. Social media has been flooded with posts reminiscing the magic Ranveer and Bhansali created together, with fans expressing sadness that this golden collaboration might never happen again.

Meanwhile, Ranveer Singh is moving ahead with his career. His upcoming spy thriller Dhruv recently released its teaser, garnering immense appreciation for his intense look and powerful presence. Fans are eagerly waiting for its release, hoping that the setback with Bhansali will not affect Ranveer’s unstoppable rise in Bollywood.

On the other side, Ranbir Kapoor is preparing for Love and War, and expectations are sky-high. The film promises to be a grand romantic saga with Bhansali’s signature visual splendour, detailed storytelling, and soul-stirring music. Given Ranbir’s previous issues with the director, it will be interesting to see how their renewed collaboration unfolds on screen.

The incident also highlights the complexities of Bollywood relationships, where friendships and professional bonds are often tested by ambition, choices, and personal equations. For now, the industry watches with bated breath to see whether Ranveer Singh and Sanjay Leela Bhansali will ever reconcile or whether this marks the end of an era that redefined cinematic excellence.

As the gossip mills continue to churn, one thing is certain: Bollywood will never be the same without the artistic magic that this actor-director duo created. Whether destiny brings them back together or keeps them apart forever, the audience will always cherish the masterpieces born from their once unbreakable bond.