Ranveer Singh Was Dropped From ‘Don 3’, Did Not Exit Voluntarily: Sources

Makers reportedly ended collaboration over “unreasonable demands,” dismiss walkout rumours

Contrary to widespread speculation that Ranveer Singh chose to step away from Don 3, sources familiar with the project have clarified that the actor was, in fact, dropped by the filmmakers due to what they describe as “unreasonable demands.” Insiders have firmly rejected claims that Singh voluntarily exited the film, calling the prevailing narrative misleading and factually incorrect.

What Really Happened

According to sources cited by IndiaToday.in, the decision to part ways was taken by the makers of Don 3, not by the actor. “Ranveer Singh did not walk out of the film, as is being widely suggested. The reality is completely different,” a source close to the development said, dismissing rumours of a self-initiated exit.

The source added that producers Ritesh Sidhwani and director Farhan Akhtar had extended the offer to Singh at a challenging phase in his career, when several of his recent releases had underperformed at the box office. “They stood by him even after Sanjay Leela Bhansali put Baiju Bawra on hold, at a time when Ranveer was perceived as not being commercially viable,” the source claimed.

The Stakes of ‘Don 3’

Industry insiders stress that Don 3 is among the most high-profile franchises in Hindi cinema, carrying immense legacy and expectations. The role would have seen Singh stepping into a character previously portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan and later redefined by Shah Rukh Khan.

“This is one of the biggest and most aspirational roles for any actor in the industry,” the source noted. “It’s not just another film—it’s a franchise with history, scale and global recall.”

Farhan Akhtar’s Reported Support

Sources also highlighted Farhan Akhtar’s faith in Singh during a period when other filmmakers were said to be hesitant. “Farhan was the only director who backed Ranveer at a time when many others had stepped away,” the source said, adding that this support came even before the release of Dhurandhar.

Addressing the ‘Selective Projects’ Narrative

The clarification comes in response to recent media reports suggesting that following the success of Dhurandhar, Singh had become more selective about his projects. Those reports claimed that the actor was keen to work with filmmakers such as Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Lokesh Kanagaraj and Atlee, and was wary of taking on multiple gangster roles in quick succession.

There were also suggestions that Singh had requested director Jai Mehta to advance the shooting schedule of Pralay to prioritise other collaborations. However, sources insist these creative preferences should not be interpreted as his reason for leaving Don 3.

Bottom Line

Sources close to the production maintain that Ranveer Singh’s exit from Don 3 was not a voluntary decision driven by creative strategy or post-success confidence. Instead, they reiterate that differences over demands led the makers to drop the actor, putting to rest speculation that he walked away from one of Hindi cinema’s most anticipated franchises.

As of now, neither the actor nor the makers of Don 3 have issued an official public statement, but insiders assert that the narrative of a walkout is “entirely untrue.”