Ranveer Singh stepping away from Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Don 3’ has once again grabbed attention. The much-anticipated project had already been in the spotlight. Now, a new report has added more clarity to the situation.Earlier, reports pointed to general creative differences. However, fresh details now suggest a more specific disagreement between the actor and the filmmaker.
Creative differences over ‘Don 3’s tone
According to a report by Free Press Journal, Ranveer wanted the film to adopt a darker tone. He reportedly pushed for the inclusion of “strong language”. He also believed the character of Don should “change his DNA to match the current violent” trends. The actor felt such elements align with current audience preferences. The demand reflected a shift toward more intense storytelling styles seen in recent films.
Farhan Akhtar sticks to original vision
Farhan Akhtar, however, reportedly did not agree with this approach. The filmmaker was reportedly against adding “harsh language” to the script. He is said to have referenced earlier versions of ‘Don’.The iconic character was previously portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. Their films did not rely heavily on abusive dialogue. Farhan reportedly wanted to preserve that tone. He remained firm on his creative direction. The filmmaker chose not to make changes under pressure. According to the portal, “Farhan very much wanted to make the film he originally set out to make.”
Fallout and financial implications affect ‘Don 3’
Following the disagreement, Ranveer Singh decided to exit the project. The development became public in 2025. It came amid reports of script issues and production delays.There were also reports about financial implications. Excel Entertainment reportedly sought around Rs 40 crore in compensation. The claim was linked to pre-production expenses and schedule disruptions. The production house maintained that groundwork had been completed with Ranveer’s approval. Reports suggest that the actor has agreed to return a portion of the amount.
‘Dhurandhar’ franchise continues strong run
Despite the ‘Don 3’ exit, Ranveer Singh is enjoying success with his ‘Dhurandhar’ franchise. The sequel, ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, directed by Aditya Dhar, is performing well at the box office. Released on March 19, 2026, the film has completed 42 days in theatres. It is now moving into its seventh week. The film has crossed Rs 1780 crore globally and is nearing Rs 1335 crore net in India as reported by Sacnilk. 4
