The Ranveer Singh Farhan Akhtar Don 3 dispute is no longer a rumour about an Instagram unfollow. It is a live legal and industry controversy involving a ₹40 crore compensation demand, two failed mediation sessions at the Producers Guild of India, a meeting at Aamir Khan’s home attended by Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala, and a franchise that has now gone from a December 2026 release target to an indefinitely stalled project.
Here is the complete, documented account of how Don 3 went from Bollywood’s most anticipated announcement to its most public fallout — and what the current status actually is as of early March 2026.
The Beginning: August 2023 Announcement
On August 16, 2023, Excel Entertainment released a short, stylish teaser video. Ranveer Singh, in profile, turning to reveal himself as the new Don. No dialogue. Just atmosphere and the franchise’s iconic music.
The reaction was immediate and polarised. Fans of Shah Rukh Khan’s version — particularly those who had grown up with the 2006 and 2011 films — were loud in their disappointment. Farhan Akhtar addressed this directly. Speaking to BBC Asian Network, he said: “Ranveer is amazing. He’s great for the part… we went through the same emotional process when Shah Rukh did it.” He argued the franchise required a next-generation actor and that Ranveer’s energy and screen presence were exactly what Don 3 needed.
For a brief window, the announcement held. Shooting was targeted for January 2025.
It never happened.
Everything That Went Wrong Before Production Began
Farhan’s own commitments: In 2024, Farhan announced he would be playing Major Shaitan Singh in 120 Bahadur, a war film about the 1962 Battle of Rezang La. The shoot took months. Don 3’s first schedule was pushed from January 2025 to May-June 2025, and then further.
Kiara Advani’s exit: Kiara Advani had been announced as the female lead, replacing Priyanka Chopra who had originated the role of Roma in the 2006 film. In 2024, Kiara became pregnant and stepped back from the project. Kriti Sanon was subsequently confirmed as her replacement. Priyanka Chopra’s potential return as Roma also entered the conversation — unconfirmed, but reported by multiple outlets.
The first look backlash: When Don 3’s first look materials were released, the social media response was overwhelmingly negative. The backlash was severe enough that Bollywood Hungama reported Ranveer himself needed time to “physically and mentally prepare” for a role being received with such hostility. Production was mutually paused while the situation settled.
The script problem: This is where Ranveer’s core complaint originates. According to his account, Farhan Akhtar never delivered a fully locked, “bound” script — the industry term for a finalised screenplay that a film is committed to shooting. Ranveer has stated in documents submitted to the Producers Guild that he prefers to work only with fully developed material before committing to production.
Despite all of this, Farhan confirmed publicly to Filmfare in November 2025 while promoting 120 Bahadur: “We start filming next year. That’s probably the biggest update that I can give you.” And separately on social media: “Next year I will start work on Don 3.”
Both statements turned out to be wrong.
December 2025: Ranveer Singh Walks Out
In early December 2025, Dhurandhar released. Directed by Aditya Dhar, it became the highest-grossing Hindi film ever, domestically and worldwide, and turned Ranveer Singh into the unambiguous box office king of his generation. He was no longer a star managing a career dip. He was a phenomenon.
Weeks after Dhurandhar released — and approximately two weeks before its release, according to Asianet Newsable — Ranveer Singh exited Don 3.
His stated reason: creative differences, principally over the script. His camp’s fuller account, submitted at the Producers Guild meetings, alleged that Farhan had never provided a locked script despite years of development; that Farhan was not open to feedback or to incorporating certain subplots Ranveer had raised; and — most damagingly — that Excel Entertainment had explored getting Hrithik Roshan on board during the waiting period, and only re-approached Ranveer after Dhurandhar became a blockbuster, in what Ranveer’s camp described as an attempt to capitalise on his renewed market value.
Farhan’s counter-position, also submitted to the Guild: Ranveer had never flagged any script issues during the development process; he had been enthusiastic about the project throughout; and his exit — timed precisely to his maximum leverage point — left Excel with an estimated ₹40 crore in sunk costs covering screenplay writing, location scouting in Europe (Farhan had personally travelled to the UK to finalise locations), and the fees of heads of departments who were hired and have now been laid off.
Neither side has issued an official public statement. Everything in both accounts comes from sources quoted by Variety India, Bollywood Hungama, Outlook India, The Week, and Hungama Express — each citing individuals present at the Guild meetings.
The Rs 40 Crore Dispute and the Producers Guild Mediation
In early February 2026, the matter formally reached the Producers Guild of India. Two closed-door mediation sessions were held.
At the second session on February 7, Ranveer’s side spoke first. The core of his argument: Excel had been unprofessional; no locked script existed; the film was not ready to go on floors; and he had been kept on standby while the production allegedly explored alternatives including Hrithik Roshan.
Farhan and Ritesh Sidhwani presented their financial claims and the documentation of development costs. Their position: Ranveer’s approval had been given. Pre-production proceeded on that basis. His exit caused approximately ₹40 crore in losses.
Ranveer reportedly offered to pay a portion of the pre-production costs as a goodwill gesture. Excel rejected the offer as insufficient. Ranveer then withdrew even that offer, having concluded that Excel’s overall demand was excessive.
A broader discussion also took place, which one producer present described to Bollywood Hungama: “From the outset, it was made clear that the intent was not to single out or blame any individual. The discussion revolved around a larger industry issue — what options a filmmaker has after investing substantial money in a film’s pre-production when the principal actor exits the project.”
The Guild could not broker a resolution. They advised both parties to pursue formal legal recourse.
The Aamir Khan Meeting
Before the legal referral, a separate meeting was held at Aamir Khan’s residence in Mumbai. Attendees included Karan Johar, Sajid Nadiadwala, Ektaa Kapoor, Zoya Akhtar, and Punit Goenka. Both sides presented documents.
The meeting also failed to produce a settlement. The dispute, as of early March 2026, appears to be heading toward formal legal proceedings.
What Happens to Don 3 Now
With Ranveer out and no replacement publicly confirmed at the time of writing, Don 3 is effectively stalled.
The casting vacuum has generated considerable speculation:
Shah Rukh Khan: Multiple reports, including Hungama Express and India Forums, have cited “recent buzz” suggesting Don 3 was re-offered to SRK. No confirmation from any party. India Forums also reported an unconfirmed version of events in which SRK would agree to return only on the condition that Atlee direct — not Farhan. This remains fully unverified speculation.
Hrithik Roshan: Hrithik publicly clarified he was never part of the project. His name was reportedly circulated internally by Excel during the development period, which is one of the specific grievances Ranveer raised at the Guild.
Vijay Deverakonda: IMDB currently lists Vijay Deverakonda in the Don 3 cast alongside Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon, Farhan Akhtar, Sharvari, Boman Irani, Arjun Das, and Vishal Jethwa. The film is listed as expected in December 2026. IMDB listings are user-editable and do not constitute official confirmation, but the appearance of Deverakonda’s name — which has also circulated in industry conversations — reflects the rumours currently in play around who might lead the film.
Jee Le Zaraa: Separately, multiple reports indicate Farhan has fast-tracked his long-gestating women-led road trip film Jee Le Zaraa, with a locked script and active date discussions with Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, and Alia Bhatt for a late 2026 shoot. Whether this represents Don 3 being put on the back burner indefinitely is, as of now, an open question.
The Don Franchise: Context
The original Don (1978) was written by Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar — Farhan’s father — and starred Amitabh Bachchan in a dual role. It remains one of Bollywood’s most referenced films.
Farhan Akhtar directed the 2006 remake with Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra. It won Best Asian Film at the Neuchâtel International Fantastic Film Festival and was a major commercial success. The sequel, Don 2: The Chase Begins (2011), expanded the franchise internationally and is widely considered one of the best-made Bollywood action films of its era.
The gap between Don 2 (2011) and the August 2023 announcement of Don 3 was twelve years. The franchise has now been through the exit of Shah Rukh Khan, the exit of Priyanka Chopra, the exit of Kiara Advani, the exit of Ranveer Singh, two failed mediation attempts, a ₹40 crore compensation dispute, and a possible court case — all before a single frame has been shot.
What Each Side’s Argument Explains — and What It Doesn’t
Ranveer’s case is strongest on: The allegation that no locked script existed. In Bollywood’s current environment, top-tier stars routinely require finalised material before committing. If Farhan was indeed working from a developing rather than completed screenplay after years of announced development, that is a legitimate production management failure.
Excel’s case is strongest on: The timing. Ranveer exited weeks after Dhurandhar made him the most bankable actor in India. If script problems had existed throughout the development period, the logical moment to raise them and exit was not the precise window of maximum personal leverage. The timing is difficult to interpret neutrally.
What neither side addresses publicly: Whether there was a formal signed contract, what its terms were regarding exit conditions and compensation, and whether either party was contractually in breach. These are the questions a court will have to answer.
Current Status: Don 3 at a Glance
| Detail | Status |
| Announced | August 2023 |
| Original female lead | Kiara Advani (exited 2024, became pregnant) |
| Current female lead | Kriti Sanon (confirmed) |
| Ranveer Singh exit | December 2025 — cited creative differences |
| Excel’s demand | ₹40 crore in damages |
| Producers Guild mediation | Two sessions, February 2026 — failed |
| Aamir Khan meeting | February 2026 — failed |
| Legal status | Both parties advised to pursue court route |
| Current lead | No official confirmation |
| Farhan’s alternate project | Jee Le Zaraa — actively being fast-tracked |
| IMDB listing | Vijay Deverakonda listed (unconfirmed) |
| Expected release | December 2026 (original target — now uncertain) |
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