In August 2023, Excel Entertainment officially announced Don 3, unveiling Ranveer Singh as the new face of the iconic franchise, with production slated for 2026. Soon after, reports emerged that Ranveer had exited the project, sparking intense speculation within Bollywood circles. Bollywood Hungama has now learned that this fallout led to two confidential meetings convened by the Producers Guild of India (GUILD), involving some of the industry’s most influential figures.
The first meeting, held nearly a week before the latest developments, included senior producers like Sajid Nadiadwala. The discussion focused on understanding the reasons behind Ranveer Singh’s exit and the broader implications for producers when a major film collapses in advanced pre-production. The situation escalated on February 7, 2026, at a second, more detailed meeting held at Lands End under the Guild’s aegis.
Attendees included Aamir Khan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar Taurani, and other key stakeholders. Excel Entertainment was represented by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, who formally presented their concerns.
A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The meeting was not about blaming individuals but about addressing a wider industry issue: what recourse filmmakers have after investing heavily in pre-production if the lead actor exits. The discussion also considered the actor’s perspective and explored safeguards to prevent such disputes.”
At this meeting, Ranveer’s side was presented first. An anonymous producer revealed, “Ranveer accused Excel Entertainment of unprofessionalism and a lack of seriousness in taking Don 3 to floors. He said Farhan Akhtar never had a finalized script and that, as an actor, he prefers working with fully developed material. Ranveer also claimed Farhan was resistant to feedback and struggled to incorporate certain subplots.
Also, Ranveer alleged that Excel explored casting Hrithik Roshan and only re-approached him post-Dhurandhar’s success to ride that momentum. ”Ranveer’s camp argued that he endured nearly three years of uncertainty, with Farhan juggling multiple commitments and the script remaining underdeveloped. They felt the final script didn’t live up to the expectations set when Ranveer signed on. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani then shared their version.
According to a source, “Farhan pointed to Ranveer’s temperament and demands, including requests for seven vanity vans (two for his staff), a daily DJ on set with high fees, and coverage of expenses for an extended crew of 28 people.
These demands were made even before Dhurandhar released and increased afterward.”Farhan reportedly presented documents disproving claims of script dissatisfaction, stating Ranveer never raised concerns and was enthusiastic about playing the third-generation Don, following Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.
