Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment in Heated Dispute Over Don 3 Production
The much-anticipated film Don 3 has become the center of a major controversy in Bollywood, pitting actor Ranveer Singh against producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment. Reports indicate that the conflict has escalated into a legal and financial standoff, with both sides blaming each other for the project's setbacks.
₹40 Crore Damages Demand and Ranveer's Refusal
According to sources, Akhtar and Sidhwani are seeking a staggering ₹40 crore in damages from Ranveer Singh, claiming losses incurred during the pre-production phase of Don 3. However, Singh has firmly rejected this demand, arguing that he is not liable to pay. A source revealed to Bollywood Hungama, “The bone of contention was that Ranveer Singh should pay ₹40 crores to Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani for the losses incurred in the pre-production of the film. Ranveer argued that he was not liable to pay as he had not taken a single paisa from the producers. Hence, paying back such a hefty amount was out of the question.”
Ranveer Singh Cites Baiju Bawra Example in Defense
In a strategic move to justify his position, Ranveer Singh reportedly pointed to his experience with the shelved film Baiju Bawra, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The source explained, “Ranveer Singh also pointed out that he was to work in a film called Baiju Bawra, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He prepped for the challenging role for almost a year and turned down several films as a result. Ultimately, Baiju Bawra was shelved, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali then began working on Love & War, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. Ranveer revealed that he was not compensated for the year he spent preparing for the role.”
Singh further emphasized that this is part of the unpredictable nature of the film business, where projects can be delayed or canceled without compensation. He argued that if Shah Rukh Khan had agreed to return for Don 3, he would have been replaced without any payout, reinforcing his stance against the damages claim.
Script Disagreements and Project Exit
The dispute stems from Ranveer Singh's alleged exit from Don 3 in December, which he attributed to dissatisfaction with the script. A source told Variety India, “Ranveer claims he exited the project because he was unhappy with the script. He repeatedly requested changes and was dissatisfied with the final draft. Excel, on the other hand, maintains that it moved ahead with pre-production only after Singh gave his approval.”
Despite a two-hour meeting between Singh and Excel Entertainment, no resolution was reached, leaving the project in limbo. Rumors suggest that the role might now be offered to Shah Rukh Khan, who starred in the previous Don installments, though this remains unconfirmed.
Don 3 Put on Hold as Focus Shifts
In a related development, reports from Pinkvilla indicate that Farhan Akhtar has decided to put Don 3 on hold. Instead, he is prioritizing the production of Jee Le Zaraa, featuring Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, and Katrina Kaif. This move adds another layer of uncertainty to the future of the Don franchise, which has been eagerly awaited by fans since Don 2 in 2011.
The ongoing clash highlights the complexities and high stakes involved in Bollywood productions, where creative differences and financial disputes can derail even the most promising projects. As both parties remain at loggerheads, the industry watches closely to see if a compromise can be reached or if Don 3 will face further delays.
