Farhan Akhtar reignited the Don 3 controversy after remarking that actors leaving projects close to filming “seems to be a pattern nowadays,” widely seen as a Ranveer Singh dig.
WEBDESK – ABDULLAH FARHAD – SHARJAH NEWS
Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Pattern Nowadays’ Remark Reignites Don 3 Controversy
The controversy surrounding Don 3 has resurfaced after filmmaker Farhan Akhtar made a cryptic remark about actors leaving films shortly before shooting begins. Although Akhtar did not directly name Ranveer Singh or Don 3, his comments have been widely interpreted as a reference to the actor’s abrupt exit from the highly anticipated project.
The remark came while Farhan was discussing the making of his 2001 directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai, which recently completed 25 years. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Farhan recalled how Saif Ali Khan had once almost left the film because of a scheduling problem.
What Did Farhan Akhtar Say?
While remembering the production of Dil Chahta Hai, Farhan explained that Saif Ali Khan had faced a clash with another film after the dates of that project changed.
According to Farhan, Saif found himself “half in, half out” of Dil Chahta Hai and eventually had to consider leaving the film. Farhan said the possibility devastated him because he could not imagine anybody else playing the character.
The situation reportedly occurred roughly a month before filming was due to begin.
Farhan then added a joking observation that such last-minute exits “seems to be a pattern nowadays.” He followed it by suggesting that it was not something that happened only to him.
Although the filmmaker did not mention Ranveer Singh, the timing of the comment immediately brought Don 3 back into the conversation.
Why Are Fans Connecting It to Ranveer Singh?
Ranveer Singh was officially announced as the new face of the Don franchise in 2023, replacing Shah Rukh Khan, who had played the iconic character in Farhan’s first two films.
The announcement itself generated a major reaction from Bollywood fans, particularly Shah Rukh Khan supporters who were unhappy about the recasting. Farhan later defended the decision and said Ranveer would do justice to the role.
However, the bigger controversy came later.
According to reporting by The Indian Express, Ranveer exited Don 3 in December 2025, only weeks before production was scheduled to begin. The report said Ranveer had already participated in action training, costume trials and script-reading sessions before informing Farhan that he wanted to leave.
The Exit Led to a Major Industry Dispute
Ranveer’s departure did not simply end his involvement with the film. It developed into a wider dispute between the actor and Excel Entertainment, Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani’s production company.
The Indian Express reported that Excel Entertainment subsequently approached the Producers Guild of India, leading to mediation involving several prominent industry figures, including Aamir Khan and Siddharth Roy Kapur.
A financial dispute also emerged. Excel reportedly sought ₹45 crore in damages, claiming losses connected with Don 3’s pre-production. According to the report, Ranveer did not agree to the full amount and the mediation eventually reached a standoff.
It is important to note that these financial figures have been reported in the media and should not be presented as a court-established liability.
FWICE Also Became Involved
The dispute escalated further when the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer.
The directive effectively asked its members not to cooperate professionally with the actor. Ranveer subsequently sent a legal notice to the organisation.
FWICE later revoked the directive after appeals from other film organisations, including IMPPA and CINTAA, with the stated aim of resolving the matter amicably.
The development became one of Bollywood’s biggest industry disputes of 2026.
Farhan’s Latest Comment Adds Fuel to the Story
Against this background, Farhan’s latest “pattern nowadays” comment has naturally attracted attention.
The filmmaker was technically discussing Saif Ali Khan’s situation during Dil Chahta Hai, not directly discussing Ranveer. However, because Ranveer’s Don 3 exit also reportedly happened only weeks before filming, the comparison was almost impossible for entertainment media and fans to ignore.
Several entertainment publications have therefore described the comment as a subtle dig or apparent jab at Ranveer.
Still, there is no direct confirmation from Farhan that Ranveer was the person he had in mind.
What Happened to Don 3?
The future of Don 3 has remained uncertain following Ranveer’s exit.
The film was originally announced as a new chapter in the franchise, with Ranveer taking over the role previously associated with Shah Rukh Khan. The official announcement from Excel Entertainment described Ranveer as the film’s star and Farhan as writer-director.
The project subsequently faced delays and the dispute surrounding Ranveer’s exit created further uncertainty.
For now, the most recent development is not a confirmed new casting announcement but Farhan’s comments that have once again pushed the Don 3 controversy into the spotlight.
A Controversy That Refuses to Die Down
What began as a casting change has evolved into one of Bollywood’s most closely followed filmmaker-actor disputes.
Ranveer’s exit, the reported financial disagreement, FWICE’s intervention and the subsequent withdrawal of its directive have all kept the story alive.
Now, Farhan Akhtar’s seemingly casual reference to actors leaving projects shortly before filming has reopened the conversation.
While calling it a direct attack on Ranveer would go beyond the available evidence, the timing and context explain why fans and entertainment outlets have interpreted the statement as a pointed reference to the Don 3 saga
