What really went wrong between Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar over Don 3?
Farhan Akhtar's Don 3 dispute with Ranveer Singh has reached FWICE after mediation efforts failed. The row now spans compensation claims, creative differences and an industry non-cooperation directive.
What began as one of Bollywood’s most exciting casting announcements has now turned into a full-blown industry controversy. When Ranveer Singh was announced as the new Don in 2023, stepping into shoes once worn by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, fans were curious, divided and excited all at once. A stylish announcement video created massive buzz online, and it looked like the iconic franchise was ready for a fresh chapter.
But somewhere along the way, things fell apart.
The big Don 3 announcement that created buzz
When Ranveer Singh was announced as the new Don in 2023, inheriting a role made iconic by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, fans were left both excited and divided.
The teaser, directed by Farhan Akhtar, hinted at a slick and stylish reboot. However, after the initial excitement, the film suddenly went quiet. There were no major updates on the cast, shooting schedule or release timeline.
That silence slowly gave rise to speculation.
Take a look at the Don 3 announcement:
Reports of creative differences surfaced
At first, rumours suggested Ranveer Singh’s difficult phase at the box office may have affected the project. But after the success of Dhurandhar, reports claimed the real issue was creative differences between the actor and Excel Entertainment.
According to several reports, Ranveer was unhappy with repeated production delays and the absence of a locked script. There were also claims that he wanted a darker, more aggressive version of Don, with edgier action and a grittier tone, while Farhan reportedly wanted to stay closer to the style and world established in the earlier films.
Things allegedly worsened after Ranveer came to know that the makers were exploring alternative casting options even while he remained attached to the film. Soon after, reports of his exit became official.
The controversy turned into a legal and industry dispute
What initially looked like a professional disagreement quickly escalated into something much bigger.
Industry reports later claimed Excel Entertainment sought nearly Rs 40-45 crore in damages from the actor, citing financial losses during pre-production. The matter reportedly reached the Producers Guild of India for mediation before eventually landing with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).
FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit later revealed that Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani personally approached the federation. According to him, extensive expenses had already been incurred, including overseas recce trips, hotel bookings and arrangements for over 200 crew members.
Pandit also claimed Ranveer had signed a three-film agreement with Excel Entertainment and had been actively involved in script discussions and the promotional shoot announcing the film.
FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive
The controversy took another turn when FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh on May 25. The organisation alleged that the actor failed to respond to repeated requests to appear before the body for discussions. Pandit stated that until Ranveer personally addressed the matter, affiliated workers across India would not collaborate with him on films, ads or other projects.
Ranveer, however, chose not to directly comment on the allegations. His team later released a statement saying the actor had “consciously chosen to maintain silence” because he believed “professional discussions and personal equations are best handled with dignity, maturity and mutual respect.”
The statement also said Ranveer continued to hold “deep respect and goodwill” for everyone associated with the Don franchise.
Interestingly, Farhan Akhtar had hinted at turbulence around the film much earlier. Speaking to Hollywood Reporter India this year, the filmmaker said, “Nothing can be taken for granted till you actually have it on film.” While he did not directly address the fallout, the comment reflected the uncertainty surrounding the project.
For now, Don 3 remains stuck in limbo. Neither Ranveer nor Farhan has publicly shared the complete story, but what is clear is that a project once seen as a major Bollywood event has now become one of the industry’s messiest fallouts in recent years.