The film industry is currently witnessing a massive shift in power dynamics, and at the center of it is Ranveer Singh. While he was officially announced as the lead for Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3 over a year ago, the landscape has changed drastically following the historic success of his latest release, Dhurandhar.
The primary catalyst for this decision appears to be the astronomical success of Dhurandhar. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has not only crossed the ₹600 crore mark in India but is currently charging toward the ₹1000 crore club worldwide. When an actor delivers a performance of this magnitude—especially playing a high-stakes Indian spy—their “brand” evolves.
Insiders suggest that Ranveer is no longer interested in playing second fiddle to a legacy established by others. By stepping away from Don 3, he is effectively choosing to build his own original franchises rather than being compared to the iconic portrayals by Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.
Another major factor in this exit is the desire for variety. Dhurandhar already placed Ranveer in a gritty, high-octane action space. Sources close to the actor indicate that he is wary of being “typecast” in back-to-back gangster or spy roles.
Instead of jumping into the world of Don, Ranveer is reportedly fast-tracking a unique project titled Pralay. This film, directed by Jai Mehta, is a human-centric story set against a zombie outbreak. By prioritizing Pralay, Ranveer is signaling a move toward experimental, high-concept cinema that allows him to showcase a different side of his acting range.
While the box office is a major reason, the timeline of Don 3 has been a point of contention for a while. The project faced multiple delays due to Farhan Akhtar’s acting commitments and reported casting shuffles (including the back-and-forth regarding Vikrant Massey as the antagonist).
It seems the “goodwill” Ranveer earned from Dhurandhar has given him the leverage to walk away from projects that have been stuck in development hell. Rather than waiting for Don 3 to finally find its footing, he is choosing to collaborate with directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Lokesh Kanagaraj, and Atlee—filmmakers who are currently at the peak of their creative powers.
For Excel Entertainment, this is a significant hurdle. Don 3 was already facing an uphill battle to win over SRK loyalists. Losing a powerhouse like Ranveer Singh means the search for a new lead begins during a period of high scrutiny. While some reports suggest the makers are already scouting for a fresh face to start filming by January 2026, the shoes of “Don” remain notoriously difficult to fill. To know such latest updates, stay tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
