The controversy surrounding Don 3 has been intensiying. Ranveer Singh, who was supposed to take on the legacy forward by playing the iconic role, has opeted out of the upcoming film. Excel Entertainment is reportedly seeking Rs 40 crore from Ranveer Singh to recover extensive pre-production costs following his exit from Don 3. Tensions reportedly peaked during two high-stakes meetings mediated by the Producers Guild of India, where Farhan Akhtar’s team allegedly locked horns with the actor over the project's collapse. Recent leaks have now begun to reveal the heated details of what transpired behind those closed doors.
According to reports by Bollywood Hungama, a source claimed, "Ranveer blamed Excel Entertainment for unprofessionalism and not being serious about taking Don 3 on floors. He stated that Farhan Akhtar never had a bound script in place and that, as an actor, he prefers to work only with fully developed material. Ranveer also pointed out that Farhan was never open to feedback on the script and had issues incorporating certain subplots. He further alleged that Excel was exploring the possibility of getting Hrithik Roshan on board and only re-approached him after the success of Dhurandhar, to capitalise on his momentum."
The source further claimed, "Farhan maintained that Ranveer never flagged any script issues. In fact, he was enthusiastic about portraying the third generation of Don after Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. He claimed the script was shared at regular intervals and approved by Ranveer at every stage."
The standoff between Farhan Akhtar and Ranveer Singh has transformed into a clash of professional ideologies. While Excel Entertainment is pushing for the reimbursement of their losses and calling for industry-wide protections against 'unreasonable' actor demands, Singh reportedly views his exit as a necessary move for his mental well-being. Sources suggest the actor is deeply frustrated by what he perceives as a lack of focus from the makers, alleging that Farhan’s preoccupation with other projects and his own acting career left the film in a state of 'indecision' for three years.
As the industry awaits an official statement to clear the air, the two parties remain at a bitter crossroads. In the meantime, Ranveer Singh is shifting his focus back to the big screen as he prepares for the highly anticipated release of Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which is set to hit theaters on March 19.