Amid Don 3 Row, Farhan Akhtar Says Actors Leaving Films At Last Minute Is a ‘Pattern Nowadays’

Farhan Akhtar appears to have taken a pointed dig at Ranveer Singh over his exit from Don 3, months after the actor walked out of the much-awaited project. While recalling an incident from the making of his directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai, Farhan remarked that leaving a film just a month before shooting has “become a pattern these days” — a comment that has sparked fresh speculation about his fallout with Ranveer.

Farhan Akhtar recalls Saif Ali Khan’s exit scare

Farhan made the remark during an interview  while discussing Dil Chahta Hai, which recently completed 25 years. Recalling the film’s pre-production phase, he said Saif Ali Khan had once considered leaving the project because of date issues with another film.

Farhan admitted that the possibility had left him heartbroken at the time. It was while recounting this experience that he drew a parallel with recent events in the industry.

“Quitting a film just a month before the shooting… this is becoming a pattern these days,” Farhan said with a laugh, without taking any name.

The interviewer laughed at the remark, after which Farhan added that such incidents were “not happening only” to him and had become increasingly common.

Ranveer Singh’s Don 3 exit sparked controversy

Farhan’s comments are being linked to Ranveer Singh’s sudden departure from Don 3. Ranveer had been officially announced as the new face of the franchise after Shah Rukh Khan’s exit, with Farhan returning as director.

The actor later walked out of the project shortly before filming was scheduled to begin, triggering a dispute between the actor and the makers.

Reports at the time claimed that Ranveer had offered to return his signing amount. However, the makers reportedly sought compensation for losses allegedly incurred during the film’s pre-production, with the figure being reported at around ₹45 crore.

FWICE had also stepped into the dispute

The disagreement eventually reached the Film Federation of India and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE). FWICE had announced a non-cooperation stance against Ranveer amid the dispute, though the decision was later withdrawn.

Ranveer, meanwhile, reportedly responded through his lawyer, sending a legal notice in connection with the matter.

Neither Ranveer nor Farhan directly referred to the other in Farhan’s latest comments, but his reference to an actor leaving a project just weeks before filming has inevitably brought the Don 3 controversy back into focus.

What next for Don 3?

The future of Don 3 remains uncertain after the franchise underwent a major casting change and then lost Ranveer Singh before production could begin.

The film had initially been expected to continue the franchise with Ranveer taking over the role previously played by Shah Rukh Khan. With Ranveer’s exit, the project has once again been surrounded by questions over its cast and production timeline.

Farhan’s latest remarks have now added another chapter to the ongoing Don 3 saga, even though the filmmaker stopped short of naming Ranveer.