Bollywood’s much-anticipated action franchise Don 3 has been embroiled in controversy after Ranveer Singh’s sudden exit, with the actor claiming that the film’s producers even discussed bringing in Hrithik Roshan amid disagreements over the project’s development. The dispute has now spilled into closed-door meetings and a broader industry debate.

Ranveer was announced as the lead of Don 3 in 2023, stepping into a role made iconic by Amitabh Bachchan and later Shah Rukh Khan. However, the long-awaited production has faced repeated delays, and last December, Ranveer reportedly chose to walk away from the film, citing creative differences and dissatisfaction with the script.

According to reports, the actor labelled the producers, Excel Entertainment, as “unprofessional,” alleging that the film lacked a completed, bound script — a prerequisite he prefers before committing fully to a major role. Ranveer claimed that director-producer Farhan Akhtar was not receptive to his feedback on the material and that progress on the screenplay had stalled for years.

What escalated the situation, Ranveer suggested, was that Excel had explored the possibility of replacing him with Hrithik Roshan during this period of uncertainty. Sources at a meeting held under the Producers Guild of India said Ranveer alleged the makers approached Hrithik to gauge interest, only to return to talks with Ranveer after the success of his recent film Dhurandhar.

Excel and Farhan reportedly pushed back against these claims at the meetings. They presented documentation arguing that Ranveer had approved the script at various stages and never formally raised major complaints until his departure. According to those producers present, Farhan was enthusiastic about Ranveer “carrying forward the Don legacy” and maintained that the script had been regularly shared with the star for review.

The fallout has grown beyond creative disagreements. Excel Entertainment has reportedly claimed losses totalling around ₹40 crore due to the project’s derailment and is seeking compensation from Ranveer, a demand that remains fiercely contested. Both sides have attended multiple meetings facilitated by industry bodies to find common ground, but no final resolution has yet been reached.

For his part, Ranveer has moved on to other projects, including his upcoming Dhurandhar 2 and a high-profile action film titled Pralay, while the future of Don 3 remains unclear amid the ongoing standoff.