Farhan Reacts To Don 3 Controversy Amid Ranveer's Exit From Project; Says 'Expect The Unexpected'

Farhan Akhtar has spoken at length about the Don 3 controversy, saying recent setbacks, including Ranveer Singh’s exit, forced a reset of expectations. Farhan stressed that the film is still an “incredible story” that Farhan wants to film, even though delays, disputes and casting uncertainty have slowed the project’s progress.

The dispute deepened after Excel Entertainment approached the Producers Guild of India, claiming Ranveer Singh’s withdrawal shortly before filming led to losses of about ₹40 crore. Reports also suggested Ranveer agreed to return ₹10 crore and even offer Farhan a stake in Ranveer’s next film, though Excel Entertainment later dismissed talk of any such ₹10 crore arrangement or stake in Pralay.

Farhan Akhtar on Don 3 controversy and lessons from uncertainty

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, Farhan described how the Don 3 controversy reshaped expectations. Farhan said, "What I have learnt is to expect the unexpected. Nothing can be taken for granted till you actually have it on film." Farhan added that these challenges made Farhan accept that creative plans can change without warning.

Farhan then reflected on a longer journey in Hindi cinema, from the early days of direction and writing to recent years. "Honestly, I also feel that from the time I began- from that moment that an Aamir, Akshaye, Preity, Dimple, Saif, Ritesh as my partner- till they come on and said yes 'let's make this film'- from that moment on, actually all the way pretty much through till 2022, which is 22-23 years, I have had the most incredible ride. It has just been working with the people that I want to work with, whether directing them or acting in films that I want to act in with directors. So it has been amazing. And you realize that at some point, there will be a period that's going to come along that is going to be a little bit more challenging then. You've had it good. So it's okay, you just take it in your stride," said Farhan.

How Ranveer Singh exit drove Don 3 controversy and self-doubt

Farhan acknowledged that dealing with Don 3 setbacks felt different from earlier disappointments. Farhan said the current situation was processed more quickly than the reaction to Lakshya, where the response hit Farhan hard because expectations did not match the film’s performance and reception.

Speaking about confronting doubt during the Don 3 controversy, Farhan said, "You've learnt a lot or at least inculcated a lot from the experiences of people who came before you. And you realize that it's part and parcel of what you do. That there will be this moment that will come along that will be challenging creatively, existentially, where you are wondering like 'Oh my God, do I still have what it takes?' All those challenges do keep coming along. But I am very thankful for what brought me here. I have created enough relationships with people, worked with enough people who know what kind of person I am. What I bring to the table every single time I go in to work. And that's what is going to see me through," he said.

Farhan underlined that these professional relationships, built across more than two decades, now help absorb the impact of the Don 3 controversy. According to Farhan, colleagues understand Farhan’s working style and commitment, which gives Farhan confidence that current turbulence, including Ranveer Singh’s exit, will not define the rest of Farhan’s career.

Creative stakes of Don 3 controversy for Farhan Akhtar

Despite the stalled timeline and Ranveer Singh’s departure, Farhan stressed that Don 3 still matters deeply on a creative level. Farhan described the script as one of the “incredible stories” Farhan wants to share with audiences and indicated the project remains alive, even if there is no clear schedule or confirmed cast at this stage.

Farhan also suggested that tough periods, such as the Don 3 controversy, arrive after long stretches of good fortune. For Farhan, the earlier phase, from the first film with Aamir Khan and others through to 2022, mostly involved projects that aligned smoothly, unlike the present uncertainty over Don 3’s casting and production.

Aspect	Detail
Alleged financial loss in Don 3 controversy	Around ₹40 crore, as claimed to Producers Guild of India
Reported amount Ranveer Singh agreed to return	₹10 crore, later denied by Excel Entertainment
Alleged additional offer	Stake for Farhan Akhtar in Ranveer’s next film, reportedly Pralay

Industry reactions, Aamir Khan and Don 3 controversy claims

As coverage around the Don 3 controversy grew, further reports claimed Ranveer Singh accused Excel Entertainment of "unprofessionalism," alleging Farhan prioritised other work instead of focusing on Don 3. It was also reported that Ranveer was contacted again only after Dhurandhar became successful, adding another layer to the disagreement.

Speculation over the Don 3 controversy widened when some reports suggested Aamir Khan tried to mediate between Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar. However, as quoted by Bollywood Hungama, Aamir later “flatly denied any hand in the Ranveer-Farhan Akhtar dispute," rejecting all suggestions of involvement in settlement discussions or back-channel negotiations.

For now, Farhan Akhtar appears focused on navigating the Don 3 controversy with patience, drawing on past experience of difficult phases and earlier disappointments like Lakshya. Farhan maintains that Don 3 is still a story Farhan intends to tell, while accusations over losses, contracts and alleged unprofessional behaviour remain under discussion within the industry.