Don 3, envisioned as a fresh chapter in one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic franchises, was announced with much fanfare, with Ranveer Singh stepping into the titular role and Farhan Akhtar returning as director-producer under Excel Entertainment. However, recent reports suggest that the ambitious project has been hit by serious internal friction, leading to a fallout between the lead actor and the filmmaker.
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, tensions between Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar escalated to the point where the matter was discussed in meetings facilitated by the Producers Guild of India (GUILD). These meetings reportedly involved several influential figures from the film industry in an attempt to address the dispute and reach a resolution.
The second such meeting is said to have taken place on February 7, with prominent industry names including Aamir Khan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar Taurani, and other key stakeholders in attendance. During this meeting, an anonymous producer reportedly shed light on Ranveer Singh’s grievances against Excel Entertainment.
As per the account shared, Ranveer allegedly accused the production house of unprofessional conduct and a lack of seriousness about commencing Don 3. The actor reportedly claimed that Farhan Akhtar never had a bound script ready and that, as a performer, he preferred committing to projects only when the material was fully developed. He allegedly expressed discomfort with the evolving nature of the script and the absence of creative clarity.
The producer further stated that Ranveer felt Farhan Akhtar was not receptive to feedback and struggled to integrate certain subplots into the narrative. Additionally, Ranveer’s camp reportedly alleged that Excel Entertainment had explored the possibility of casting Hrithik Roshan for the project and approached Ranveer again only after the success of Dhurandhar, seemingly to capitalize on his renewed box-office momentum.
The report also claimed that Ranveer’s team asserted the actor had endured nearly three years of indecision, during which the project failed to move forward meaningfully. They alleged that Farhan Akhtar’s focus was divided due to multiple commitments, including his acting career, leaving Don 3 creatively underdeveloped. According to Ranveer’s side, the script did not align with his stature as a leading star, further contributing to his decision to exit the project.
On the other hand, Farhan Akhtar reportedly presented a contrasting narrative during the Guild discussions. He allegedly raised concerns about Ranveer Singh’s temperament and demands, submitting documents to counter claims related to script dissatisfaction. Farhan reportedly maintained that Ranveer had never formally expressed issues with the script and had, in fact, shown enthusiasm about portraying the third-generation Don, following in the footsteps of Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.
Farhan also reportedly stated that the script had been shared with Ranveer at regular intervals and approved at various stages. According to his account, the actor’s exit came as a surprise, especially after producers had already agreed to multiple demands.
The report further suggests that Ranveer Singh’s departure resulted in financial losses amounting to approximately Rs 40 crore for the makers. In response, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani are reportedly seeking reimbursement and have urged industry bodies to consider framing resolutions against what they describe as “unreasonable star demands.”
Meanwhile, Ranveer’s side reportedly maintained that he was deeply disappointed by how a franchise of Don 3’s scale was being handled. He allegedly felt that if serious issues existed even before the film went on floors, the situation on set could be far worse. Choosing what he perceived as professional sanity over a compromised project, the actor decided to walk away.
As of now, neither party has issued an official statement, and the future of Don 3 remains uncertain amid conflicting claims.