Ranveer Singh decided to leave the Don 3 project in December 2025. The departure occurred weeks before the start of main filming, scheduled for January 2026. The production, handled by Excel Entertainment, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, had already invested in pre-production. The case evolved into one of the most followed discussions in the sector in recent years.
The actor and the producer disagreed on the reasons for the dismissal. Fontes close to the negotiations described a series of meetings that brought together figures such as Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Aamir Khan and other senior professionals.
Detalhes from the timeline leading up to the exit
Excel Entertainment announced Ranveer Singh as the new Don in August 2023. The first look was released at the time. The formal term sheet was only signed in August 2024. In March 2025, the producer sent the most recent version of the script. In August 2025, he shared the schedule for action training, costume fittings and recordings from January to July 2026.
- Ranveer Singh completed an action training cycle between November 3 and 12, 2025, funded by production.
- Ensaios action scheduled for November 17, 18, 23 and 24 were canceled by the actor’s team.
- Ele participated in a costume fitting on November 27th.
- Leituras scripted with Farhan Akhtar and the main cast took place on December 15th and 16th.
A look test scheduled for December 17 was canceled at the last minute. On December 20, Ranveer Singh announced by phone that he would not continue in the film. Naquele At the moment, his other feature, Dhurandhar, had already surpassed significant box office marks.
Versões presented in mediation sessions
The parties resorted to private conversations mediated by influential names in Indian cinema. The first meetings, without the presence of Ranveer Singh, involved around 25 professionals. A joint session was attended by the actor, who took handwritten notes and spoke for around 90 minutes.
Ele cited dissatisfaction with the script, Farhan Akhtar’s prolonged unavailability for creative collaborations, reduced fee and cut in the anticipated budget, which reportedly fell from around 300-350 crore to 150 crore. Excel Entertainment countered with records of WhatsApp messages and exchanges that showed the actor’s positive reactions to previous versions of the text.
An independent audit, carried out by a large firm with no prior ties to those involved, calculated pre-production expenses at around 45 crore. The price included scouting trips, writing costs, cast adjustments and commitments with more than 200 professionals.
Proposta Agreement and Escalation for Industry Entities
Ranveer Singh presented a settlement offer: 10 crore immediately and a 25% discount on his fee for a possible future project with Excel. The producer refused. Communications were interrupted after that. The actor traveled to Estados Unidos and attempts to contact him received no response.
The case reached Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), which issued a non-cooperation directive in May. The measure instructed affiliates not to work with the actor until the resolution. Ranveer Singh sent a legal notice contesting the decision. In June, FWICE revoked the directive after interventions by IMPPA, Producers Guild of India and CINTAA.
The financial impasse between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment remains unresolved. Nenhuma of the parties publicly commented on recent details of the conflict.
Impacto on the sector and engagement discussions
The episode reignited debates about withdrawal deadlines and contractual responsibilities in large productions. Produtores present at the mediations highlighted the need for clearer guidelines from Producers Guild. The case served as a catalyst for conversations about balance between artists and producers.
Don 3 remains without a defined new protagonist. The franchise, started in 1978 with Amitabh Bachchan and restarted by Farhan Akhtar with Shah Rukh Khan in 2006, continued in 2011 with Don 2.