Ranveer Singh abruptly exiting the highly anticipated film Don 3 in late 2025 has created a financial and logistical nightmare for Excel Entertainment. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani are dealing with a reported ₹40–45 crore pre-production loss after the franchise reboot fell apart at the last minute.
The project was actively built around Singh for nearly 32 months before his sudden departure. A formal term sheet outlining his engagement was signed on August 7, 2024. Excel Entertainment even shared a detailed production schedule with the actor’s team on August 25, 2025, mapping out principal photography from January 9 through late July 2026.
Akhtar invested heavily in prepping his new lead for the action-heavy role. Singh underwent studio-funded action training from November 3 to November 12, 2025, and participated in script-reading sessions as late as mid-December. The collaboration officially died right after a scheduled look test was abruptly canceled on December 17, 2025.
Following the financial blow, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against the actor. Singh reportedly attempted a ₹35 crore financial settlement, offering ₹10 crores upfront and a ₹25 crore discount on a future project. The producers immediately rejected the offer, according to a Times of India report detailing his failed attempt to patch up the fallout.
The industry damage pushed the Producers Guild of India to issue a strong statement condemning last-minute exits by actors. Superstar Salman Khan is now actively intervening to mediate the escalating dispute between the two stars, as verified by an India Today exclusive tracking the closed-door negotiations. Khan is reportedly speaking privately with both Akhtar and Singh to urge an amicable resolution.
Singh was officially announced as the new face of the iconic action franchise in 2023, stepping in to replace Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. The sudden collapse leaves Excel Entertainment scrambling to salvage the property’s future.