Ritesh Sidhwani addresses backlash over casting Ranveer Singh in 'Don 3'

The much-anticipated announcement of "Don 3" stirred a whirlwind of responses in the Bollywood community and among fans. The creators unveiled the next installment with a surprising twist—Ranveer Singh as the new lead actor. The teaser video, accompanied by the number 3 and the tagline 'A New Era Begins,' left fans speculating about the direction of the franchise. The following day, the official announcement confirmed Ranveer Singh's role as the new Don.

While the news was met with excitement by many, a segment of viewers believed that Shah Rukh Khan, the original Don, was the ultimate fit for the suave criminal pursued by the authorities of 11 countries. This led to some unwarranted backlash directed at Ranveer Singh and the creators, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.

Addressing the casting backlash, Ritesh Sidhwani, co-founder of Excel Entertainment, shared his perspective during an interview with Indian Express. When questioned about the criticism surrounding the casting even before the film's release, Sidhwani downplayed it, stating, "It's nothing. We will answer that when we come to 'Don 3.' When you see the trailer, you tell me if that guy lives up to what the character demands in the film. Now, it's our job to make sure it happens."

Farhan Akhtar also weighed in on the casting controversy during a conversation with BBC Asian Network. He revealed that Ranveer Singh had his share of nervousness when stepping into the iconic role previously played by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.