Don 3 row deepens as Farhan Akhtar and Ranveer Singh head towards legal battle

The dispute surrounding Don 3 has taken a sharper turn, with Farhan Akhtar and Ranveer Singh reportedly being advised to pursue legal recourse. The development comes amid an ongoing disagreement over a Rs 40 crore compensation claim following the actor’s exit from the project.

Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani are said to have approached the Producers Guild of India seeking recovery of pre production expenses. According to reports, the makers believe Singh’s withdrawal led to financial setbacks. In response, the actor has allegedly countered that the production lacked clarity and commitment, which impacted the film’s progress.

Variety India reported that discussions between the two sides have grown increasingly strained. With neither party willing to concede, the Guild has indicated limited scope for mediation. “As an organisation, the Producers Guild of India can intervene only to a certain extent. With both parties standing firm, the guild members advised them to involve their legal teams and resolve the matter through the proper legal route," a source close to the development informed the portal.

The same source claimed that Singh was open to offering compensation as a goodwill gesture and remained in conversation with Akhtar until two weeks before Dhurandhar. However, the figure proposed by Excel Entertainment reportedly did not find favour with him. “Ranveer is not agreeing to pay that amount because he bears no financial liability for the losses. He was willing to pay a certain amount just as a gesture of goodwill, which Farhan didn’t agree to," the source added.

The first look of Don 3 was unveiled in August 2023, introducing Singh as the new lead of the franchise. The announcement drew mixed reactions but positioned him as the successor to the legacy.

After the release of Dhurandhar, reports surfaced about his departure. With speculation about casting changes and no official clarification yet, the future of Don 3 remains uncertain.