Highlights
- Ranveer Singh reportedly steps away from Don 3, which was scheduled to begin filming in January 2026
- Actor joins the ensemble cast of Pralay, backed by Applause Entertainment
- Decision is said to reflect a shift away from back-to-back gangster roles
Ranveer Singh opts out of ‘Don 3’
Ranveer Singh has reportedly exited Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3, just weeks before the film was expected to go on floors. According to media reports, the third instalment of the long-running crime thriller franchise was slated to begin production by the end of January 2026.
The development follows earlier changes to the cast. Kiara Advani had previously stepped away from the project due to her pregnancy, with reports at the time suggesting Kriti Sanon was being considered as her replacement.
Why Ranveer chose ‘Pralay’ instead
A report by Pinkvilla claims that after the success of Dhurandhar, Singh is reassessing his upcoming slate. Sources close to the actor say he is keen to avoid being typecast in consecutive gangster films, prompting him to prioritise Pralay over Don 3.
Backed by Applause Entertainment, Pralay is described as a survival drama set against a zombie outbreak, centering on a man who goes to extreme lengths to protect his family as society collapses.
The legacy of the ‘don’ franchise
The character of Don was created in the 1970s by veteran writers Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. The franchise was revived after Excel Entertainment acquired the rights to the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan-starrer of the same name.
Farhan Akhtar directed the modern reboot, with Shah Rukh Khan headlining the first two films. Those instalments also featured Priyanka Chopra and Boman Irani, helping re-establish Don as a major screen icon before the planned third chapter.
