The Don 3 controversy has become one of the biggest talking points in the Hindi film industry, and the latest developments have raised a question that many insiders are now privately asking: If Ranveer Singh had serious problems with the film, why did preparations continue until days before the scheduled shoot?
EXCLUSIVE: Don 3 was built around Ranveer Singh for 32 months; Insiders question why the actor walked out after extensive preparations
IHNS has learned from sources familiar with the matter that Don 3 was not the only project in development. Instead, the film was built around Ranveer Singh for approximately 32 months before the collaboration ended in December 2025.
Sources reveal that Excel Entertainment had started work on introducing Ranveer Singh as the new Don as early as April 19, 2023, when the production house shot the first-look announcement video at its own expense. The teaser was eventually unveiled on August 9, 2023 and marked the formal passing of the franchise from the era of Shah Rukh Khan to the era of Ranveer Singh. Excel Entertainment and Farhan Akhtar took a significant reputational risk at the time by supporting Ranveer despite resistance from a section of fans who were unhappy with the recasting.
A source told IHNS, “People forget what Excel did for this project. He didn’t just cast Ranveer. He relaunched one of the most iconic franchises of Hindi cinema around him. Despite consecutive flops, the entire Don 3 campaign, positioning and long-term planning revolved around Ranveer Singh.”
The cooperation progressed significantly over the next two years. Sources claim that a term sheet recording the key terms of Ranveer Singh’s engagement was signed on August 7, 2024, while discussions on a long-term agreement continued even after that. The latest draft of the script was reportedly shared with the actor’s team on March 25, 2025.
The incident that followed has become the center of controversy.
Sources reveal that on August 25, 2025, Excel Entertainment shared a detailed schedule with Ranveer Singh’s team covering action training, costume trials, look tests and principal photography. Shooting was planned to begin on January 9, 2026, and continue until the end of July 2026. What has surprised many within the industry is that preparations reportedly continued till the last days before the results came out.
According to sources, Ranveer Singh took action training between November 3 and November 12, 2025, the expenses of which were borne by Excel Entertainment. Action rehearsals were scheduled for later, while costume trials and look tests were also planned as part of the pre-production process.
An industry source said, “By that stage, it was not a film waiting for approval. It was a film that was preparing to go on floors. Multiple departments had been activated, schedules were blocked and substantial money had already been spent.”
Sources further claim that Ranveer Singh attended the script-reading session with Farhan Akhtar and the lead cast on December 15 and 16, 2025. Industry insiders who have followed the case closely insist that these developments make the eventual exit all the more surprising.
A trade veteran commented, “That’s the question everyone is asking. If there were fundamental problems with the script, budget or the project, then why were the action training, costume trials, rehearsals and script readings continued? Ranveer or his team are yet to give a concrete answer.”
According to sources, the look test to be held on December 17 was canceled at the last moment. Three days later, on December 20, 2025, Ranveer Singh reportedly informed the makers over a phone call that he would no longer be a part of Don 3.
While Ranveer Singh’s camp has said that there were concerns regarding the project and the actor has not publicly commented in detail on the allegations made against him, many within the trade believe that the chronology itself raises uncomfortable questions.
As one producer said, “Actors have every right to reject a film. But if preparation continues till the final stage and a producer keeps investing money based on those commitments, then naturally questions will be asked of the actor.”
