Highlights
- Farhan Akhtar confirms Don 3 is still planned
- Ranveer Singh exited the project
- Excel Entertainment reported losses of about ₹40 crore
- Dispute taken to Producers Guild of India
- Akhtar calls Don 3 an “incredible story”
Farhan Akhtar has said that Don 3 remains a story he wants to bring to the screen, despite the project facing several challenges. The filmmaker shared that despite delays and uncertainty, the film is still important to him.
Akhtar’s last film as a director was Don 2, released in 2011. It starred Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra. Since then, there has been ongoing speculation about the third film in the franchise.
The latest issue involves Ranveer Singh, who was expected to play the lead role. Reports say Singh has withdrawn from the project. His exit has added more uncertainty to the film’s progress.
After Singh’s departure, Akhtar’s company, Excel Entertainment, approached the Producers Guild of India. The company claimed that the actor’s last-minute exit caused losses of about $4.8 million.
Singh reportedly accused the company of “unprofessionalism.” He also claimed that Akhtar focused on other projects instead of Don 3. Reports further said that Singh was approached again after the success of his film Dhurandhar.
Akhtar, on the other hand, presented documents to the Producers Guild. These were meant to counter Singh’s claims. He also stated that Singh was interested in being part of the franchise, following actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, who previously played the role of Don.
In an interview, Akhtar spoke about the challenges he has faced in recent years. He said that the film industry has become more unpredictable.
The Hollywood Reporter India: “Nothing can be taken for granted till you actually have it on film," he noted, with reference to how this period has been more challenging than earlier.
Despite these difficulties, Akhtar made it clear that Don 3 is still a project he cares about deeply. He described it as one of the stories he wants to tell.
The Hollywood Reporter India: “expect the unexpected”.
His comments suggest that the film is still being considered, even though there is no confirmed timeline for its production.
Akhtar also spoke about another project, Jee Le Zaraa, which has also faced delays. Like Don 3, that film has not moved forward as planned.
Even with these setbacks, Akhtar expressed confidence in his experience and work ethic. He said his long career in the industry has prepared him to handle uncertainty.
The Hollywood Reporter India: “I have worked with enough people who know what kind of person I am, and what I bring to the table every single time I go into work, and that’s what is going to sail me through," he said.
For now, Don 3 remains an active idea rather than a canceled project. Akhtar’s statements show that he still intends to bring the story to audiences when conditions allow.
