Ranveer Singh, who was slated to replace Shah Rukh Khan in the highly anticipated Don 3, has reportedly exited the project, leading to a postponement of the film's shooting schedule. This development comes after months of speculation and a prior announcement in August 2023 that Singh would take over the iconic role.
Several factors are believed to have contributed to Singh's departure. Following the blockbuster success of Dhurandhar, the actor is reportedly keen on prioritizing its sequel, with additional shooting portions required in early 2026. Singh is also said to be eager to explore new genres, with a focus on his zombie thriller Pralay, directed by Jai Mehta.
Reports suggest that discussions surrounding Don 3's dates had been ongoing for months, eventually leading to a clash between Singh's commitments and the film's production timeline. Furthermore, after the success of Dhurandhar, Singh allegedly indicated a desire for a remuneration hike, which did not align with Don 3's budget.
A formal meeting involving Singh, his management team, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, and producer Ritesh Sidhwani reportedly took place on December 19, solidifying the decision for Singh to exit the project. Consequently, on December 22, department heads deeply involved in pre-production were informed of Singh's departure, and the February shooting schedule was officially pushed.
Don 3 has faced other casting changes as well. Kiara Advani, initially expected to replace Priyanka Chopra as the female lead, stepped back due to her pregnancy. Kriti Sanon has since replaced her. Vikrant Massey, who was supposed to play the villain, also left the project due to unknown reasons. Arjun Das has reportedly replaced him.
The Don franchise boasts a rich history, beginning with the 1978 film starring Amitabh Bachchan. Shah Rukh Khan later took over the role in Farhan Akhtar's 2006 reboot, followed by a sequel in 2011. The future of Don 3 remains uncertain following Singh's exit, and the production team is now faced with the task of finding a suitable replacement and realigning the film's schedule.
