Bollywood's highly anticipated "Don 3" is facing significant casting challenges. Actor Ranveer Singh, who was officially announced as the new lead for director Farhan Akhtar's film in August 2023, has reportedly stepped away from the project. Following this development, industry buzz quickly linked superstar Hrithik Roshan to the iconic role, but reliable sources now confirm that Roshan is also not joining the film. This dual casting setback leaves the future of the "Don" franchise uncertain as production was reportedly gearing up for early 2026.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]} ### Ranveer Singh's Reported Departure Ranveer Singh was introduced as the new Don in August 2023, stepping into a role previously made famous by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.^{[5][6][11][7][12][13][14]} A teaser video confirmed his casting, signaling a new era for the popular action thriller franchise.^[11][12][13] The film was initially expected to begin shooting in January 2025, but director Farhan Akhtar's prior commitments reportedly caused delays.^[5][6][7] Recent reports, however, indicate that Singh has "reportedly walked out" or "stepped away" from "Don 3" shortly before it was set to go on floors by February.^{[1][15][2][3][4][16][17][18][19][20][8][21][22][9][10][23]} The reasons for his reported exit vary across industry reports. Some sources suggest that Singh's commitment to additional shooting days for "Dhurandhar 2" was a roadblock.^[1] There were also claims of a hike in his remuneration after the historic success of "Dhurandhar," which reportedly did not align with "Don 3's" budget.^[1] Other reports, however, dismiss these financial reasons, stating that Singh's decision stemmed from creative differences and disagreements over certain demands.^[17][19][20] A source told India Today that it was "an entirely different story" and that creative disagreements led to the separation.^[17][19][20] Another perspective suggests that after the massive success of "Dhurandhar," Ranveer Singh no longer wanted to be seen in back-to-back gangster films.^[18][9] He is reportedly now focusing on a post-apocalyptic zombie thriller titled "Pralay," which is expected to go on floors between July and August.^{[1][3][4][16][18][9]} Despite widespread reports, neither Ranveer Singh nor the makers of "Don 3" have issued an official statement confirming his departure.^{[4][19][20][8]} ### Hrithik Roshan Denies Involvement Following the news of Ranveer Singh's reported exit, speculation quickly mounted that Hrithik Roshan was being considered for the lead role in "Don 3."^{[15][3][4][16][8][24][21][22][10]} Roshan's name emerged as a "strong contender" in industry chatter, with reports suggesting he was in early talks with the makers.^{[3][4][16][8][24][21][10]} This rumor gained traction due to Roshan's prior connection with the "Don" franchise. He made a memorable cameo appearance in "Don 2" (2011), where Shah Rukh Khan's character impersonated him in a crucial scene.^{[2][3][4][16][8][24][22][10][14]} Furthermore, director Farhan Akhtar had revealed in an interview that Hrithik Roshan was his initial choice for the 2006 "Don" remake before Shah Rukh Khan was eventually cast.^[8][25][10] However, these rumors have now been definitively quashed. Reliable sources confirm that Hrithik Roshan is not doing "Don 3."^[2] The actor is reportedly busy with other major commitments, including his directorial debut, "Krrish 4," and an upcoming film with Hombale Entertainment.^[2][3] These projects keep him fully occupied in the near future, making it clear that taking on "Don 3" is not part of his current schedule.^[2] This denial adds another layer of complexity to the already challenging casting process for the film. ### The Legacy of Don and Franchise Future The "Don" franchise holds a significant place in Indian cinema. The character of Don, an enigmatic underworld boss, was first introduced in the 1978 Hindi-language action thriller film starring Amitabh Bachchan.^[26][27][14] This original film was a commercial success and spawned several South Indian remakes.^[26][27][14] Farhan Akhtar then reimagined the story with a fresh narrative twist in "Don" (2006), starring Shah Rukh Khan, who reprised his role in the 2011 sequel "Don 2."^[26][27][14] Both films were box office hits, establishing Shah Rukh Khan's interpretation of the character.^[26][28] The decision to reboot the franchise with Ranveer Singh was intended to usher in a "new era," as expressed by Akhtar.^[12][13] The role carries immense weight, requiring an actor with proven stardom and a formidable screen presence to live up to the legacy of Bachchan and Khan.^[4][16][19] The ongoing casting changes highlight the pressure surrounding "Don 3" and the difficulty in finding a suitable lead to carry forward such an iconic character. While Kriti Sanon was confirmed as the female lead for the film, her status remains unclear if the lead actor changes again.^{[5][6][7][19][9][10]} With both Ranveer Singh and Hrithik Roshan reportedly out of the picture, the production house, Excel Entertainment, is now actively scouting for a new actor to step into the role of Don.^[9] The future of "Don 3" remains uncertain, with possibilities ranging from finding another leading actor to the film potentially being shelved. The series has a loyal fan base, and any updates on casting or production are expected to generate significant buzz within the industry and among audiences.^[2][4][29] The constant shifts underscore the challenges in relaunching a beloved franchise with a new face while managing high audience expectations.

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