Ranveer Singh replaces SRK in ‘Don 3’

The third instalment of Shah Rukh Khan’s action thriller Don is now in the works, according to recent confirmation from producer Ritesh Sidhwani.

Although the script for the movie is still being worked on by producer and director Farhan Akhtar, there has been a rumour that Shah Rukh Khan won’t be appearing in Don 3.

According to recent reports by a leading news agency, Shah Rukh Khan’s Don role was up for grabs, and Ranveer Singh and a few other actors were competing for it.

Ranveer will play the title role in Don 3 according to a source who spoke with a news outlet.

After Shah Rukh’s exit, the makers of Don 3 sought an ideal replacement who could carry on Don’s legacy and do it justice.

Ranveer Singh has always been a favourite of Excel Entertainment and has been in several of their blockbuster films, including Dil Dhadakne Do and Gully Boy.

Ranveer, who appears to have already shot for the promotional video, will reportedly be involved in the Don 3 announcement.

According to the source, Ranveer Singh will take over as the new Don and Shah Rukh Khan has been told about this as well.

The first Don was released in 2006, while the second instalment was released in 2011 with Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra reprising their roles.

Both films were helmed by Farhan Akhtar.

A report by Pinkvilla previously suggested that Shah Rukh Khan does not seem keen to return to the franchise.

A source said: “Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have had multiple detailed discussions with Shah Rukh Khan on Don 3.

“Before the pandemic, a couple of ideas were also discussed, which took the shape of a script through the pandemic.

“Meetings have happened recently too, but Shah Rukh is not too keen to get back as Don again at this point.

“He is willing to do commercial films that cater to a universal section of the audience, and Don certainly doesn’t fit the bracket of cinema that he is willing to do for the coming few years.

“He has conveyed his decision to the stakeholders at Excel.”

To grow the franchise even more, the makers originally planned to bring three generations of Don together to lay down a platform for the generational shift of Don.

This would include Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and a younger star.

But according to reports, Shah Rukh Khan was against the idea.

The source continued:

“But SRK felt the idea of spinning the Don universe would be gimmicky and hence advised the team about his exit.”