The rumor mill in Bollywood has been working overtime this week, but it’s time to separate fact from fiction. Despite a wave of viral reports suggesting that filmmaker Atlee might be stepping in to direct Don 3, sources close to the production have confirmed that the Jawan director has not been approached for the project.
The speculation reached a fever pitch following reports of Ranveer Singh’s departure from the franchise. Here is the breakdown of what is actually happening with one of India’s most anticipated sequels.
The buzz started when several reports claimed that Shah Rukh Khan was considering a return to the Don franchise, which he famously led in 2006 and 2011. According to these rumors, Khan had placed a “special condition” on his comeback: he allegedly wanted Atlee, the man behind the global blockbuster Jawan, to take the directorial reins.
The idea of the “King of Mass Cinema” joining forces with the “King of Bollywood” for a high-octane actioner like Don 3 sent fans into a frenzy. However, insiders have now moved to squash these claims.
Speaking to leading industry insiders, sources associated with Excel Entertainment clarified that no such discussions have taken place. “The rumors around Atlee being brought on board for Don 3 are completely unfounded,” a source stated. “He has never been approached for the film and has no involvement with the franchise whatsoever. The project remains with its original creators.”
While Atlee and Shah Rukh Khan share a strong professional bond—with Jawan entering the ₹1,000 crore club—their current calendars do not include a trip into the Don universe.
The franchise has seen a fair share of turbulence recently. After being officially announced as the new lead in 2023, recent reports suggest Ranveer Singh has exited the project to focus on other commitments, including his upcoming film Pralay.
Farhan Akhtar, who directed the first two installments starring SRK, remains the primary creative force behind the series. Despite the casting uncertainty, the film is still reportedly aimed for a 2026 production start, though an official cast announcement is now eagerly awaited by the industry.
While Don 3 isn’t on the cards for them, the duo isn’t ruling out future collaborations. Atlee has frequently mentioned his desire to work with Khan again, noting that the superstar “taught him to raise the bar.” For now, however, Atlee is focused on his own upcoming massive projects, including a rumored collaboration with Allu Arjun. To know such latest updates tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
