In a significant development for Bollywood, actor Ranveer Singh has officially exited the much-anticipated project Don 3, throwing the future of the iconic action franchise into uncertainty. Reports indicate his departure came just a month before the film was scheduled to begin principal photography.
The Rocky Road to Don 3
The journey for the third installment of the Don series has been fraught with delays and public skepticism. The project was first announced almost two years ago in the summer of 2023 by Excel Entertainment, with a promotional unit revealing Ranveer Singh as the new face, replacing the original Shah Rukh Khan. This decision was met with intense criticism and trolling from fans online, who had expected SRK to reprise his role following hints at the end of Don 2.
Subsequent years saw multiple postponements. Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar reportedly reworked the script, and the lead actress was switched from Kiara Advani to Kriti Sanon. According to a report by Mid-Day, the final blow came due to a combination of a fee hike requested by Ranveer following the massive success of his film Dhurandhar, and scheduling conflicts with Dhurandhar 2, slated for an Eid 2026 release.
Does Ranveer Singh Need the Don Franchise Anymore?
This exit prompts a critical career analysis. When Ranveer was cast, he expressed his excitement and sense of responsibility. "I understand what a great responsibility it is to be a part of the 'Don' dynasty," he had written on Instagram. Farhan Akhtar, in a late 2023 interview with Variety, praised Ranveer's energy and readiness for the big film.
However, the cinematic landscape has shifted dramatically since the announcement. The Hindi film industry is now saturated with high-octane action spectacles. The trend, ignited by films like Pathaan, has exploded with Jawan, Animal, Gadar 2, and a long pipeline including War 2 and Baaghi 4. The southern film industries have also dominated with franchises like KGF, Pushpa, and RRR.
Most importantly, Ranveer Singh himself now commands his own blockbuster raw action franchise, Dhurandhar, which is his career's highest grosser. With its sequel on the way, the necessity of taking on the established—and heavily compared—Don legacy is debatable. Audiences are also showing appetite for diverse genres, as seen with the success of films like Stree 2.
Should Shah Rukh Khan Return or Should Farhan Akhtar Pivot?
One immediate question is whether Farhan Akhtar should return to the original Don, Shah Rukh Khan. SRK is a proven box-office magnet, especially after his recent action-packed successes. His return would guarantee immense anticipation. However, Farhan has previously stated creative differences, wanting a "young Don" for the ideas he envisioned. SRK also has Siddharth Anand's King in his lineup, which may feature a similar cool assassin avatar.
This leaves Farhan with limited options. He could cast a fresh face, but that risks repeating the initial backlash. Another compelling path could be to revive his long-announced, all-female road-trip comedy, Jee Le Zara, starring Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt, and Katrina Kaif. In an era overflowing with action, a well-made female-led comedy could be a perfect counter-programming move.
The future of Don 3 now hangs in the balance. With the action genre more crowded than ever and the original star potentially unnecessary for his own career trajectory, Farhan Akhtar faces a crucial creative decision: force a reboot or reimagine the franchise entirely.
