Highlights:
- Don 3 delayed due to prolonged casting discussions
- Farhan Akhtar returns attention to Jee Le Zaraa
- Talks reportedly resume with Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas
- Script is locked; scheduling remains the main hurdle
- Film may go on floors in the second half of 2026
After months of speculation and mounting uncertainty surrounding Don 3, Farhan Akhtar appears to have pressed pause on the high-profile franchise and redirected his attention to a project far closer to his heart, Jee Le Zaraa. The actor-director-producer is now actively working to revive the long-delayed road-trip film, which has been described as one of his most personal creative ambitions.
According to a report cited by Pinkvilla, the delay in Don 3 stems largely from the casting process. While Ranveer Singh was initially announced as the new face of the franchise, sources suggest Farhan remains cautious and wants to be completely confident about the final lineup before moving forward. “Farhan feels the casting of Don is crucial. He wants to be sure about who steps into the role, and it is a longer process,” the source said.
With Don 3 taking more time than expected to come together, Farhan has chosen to refocus his energy on Jee Le Zaraa, a film that has been in development for several years. The movie marks a reunion between Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti, the trio behind beloved films such as Dil Chahta Hai and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Together, the three filmmakers are looking to create another memorable road-trip story that celebrates friendship, self-discovery, and independence.
Jee Le Zaraa has long been positioned as a passion project for both Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Films. The film is also expected to serve as the concluding chapter in the unofficial road-trip trilogy that began with Dil Chahta Hai and continued with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Expectations are high, particularly given the legacy of its predecessors.
The script for Jee Le Zaraa is reportedly locked, and the creative groundwork is fully in place. However, the project has faced repeated delays due to scheduling conflicts among its leading ladies, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The latest report suggests that Farhan has restarted discussions with all three actresses and is optimistic that their timelines can finally align.
“Jee Le Zaraa has always been special for Farhan. With Don 3 taking time at the casting stage, he felt this was the right moment to revive discussions with the original team and push the film forward,” the source added.
If schedules fall into place as hoped, Jee Le Zaraa could go on floors in the second half of 2026. The delay, insiders say, is no longer about creative issues but purely about logistics. All involved remain keen to move ahead once a common shooting window is found.
With the film once again making headlines, fans are eagerly waiting to see Farhan Akhtar return to the genre that defined a generation — this time with a fresh perspective centered on female friendships and modern journeys.
