RANVEER SINGH AND FARHAN AKHTAR AT ODDS AS DON 3 HITS TURBULENCE

A high-profile casting gamble unravels, exposing deeper questions about creative control, contracts and accountability in Bollywood

What was meant to usher in a new era for the iconic Don franchise has instead spiralled into one of the industry’s most closely watched standoffs. After Ranveer Singh exited Don 3, sources suggest relations between the actor and Farhan Akhtar’s banner, Excel Entertainment, have grown decidedly strained.

Ranveer’s casting as the successor to Shah Rukh Khan’s legendary Don was among the most talked-about announcements in recent years, signalling both ambition and risk. However, following the release of Dhurandhar, reports emerged that the actor had stepped away from the project. Fresh industry buzz now claims that Excel Entertainment is dissatisfied with how events unfolded and has allegedly sought compensation, citing substantial losses incurred during pre-production—figures said to be as high as ₹40 crore.

According to Variety India, a source close to the matter stated that Ranveer’s decision stemmed from dissatisfaction with the script. “He kept asking for changes and wasn’t convinced by the final draft,” the source said. Excel, however, maintains that pre-production only commenced after the actor had given his approval, making the exit particularly contentious.

The disagreement soon moved beyond private discussions. Bollywood Hungama reported that two closed-door meetings were convened under the aegis of the Producers Guild of India. The first, held last week, reportedly included senior producers such as Sajid Nadiadwala and focused on broader implications for filmmakers when projects collapse after significant investment.

The second meeting, held on February 7, saw heavyweight names including Aamir Khan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ramesh Taurani and Kumar Taurani in attendance. A source quoted by the publication emphasised that the intent was not to single out any individual, but to examine systemic safeguards—balancing the producer’s financial exposure against an actor’s right to step away from material they do not believe in.

Yet the tone reportedly shifted during this follow-up discussion. Ranveer is said to have accused Excel of unprofessionalism, alleging that Don 3 never had a fully bound script. He reportedly maintained that he prefers to commit only to projects with complete, developed material and claimed that feedback on the screenplay was not adequately entertained. The actor also allegedly suggested that the production house had explored other casting options before returning to him post-Dhurandhar, seeking to capitalise on his box-office momentum.

For now, Farhan Akhtar has reportedly placed Don 3 on the back burner, redirecting focus to Jee Le Zaraa. Ranveer, meanwhile, awaits the release of Dhurandhar: The Revenge. Whether this dispute settles quietly or reshapes how big-budget Hindi films formalise creative commitments remains a question the industry is watching closely.