‘Seems To Be a Pattern’: Did Farhan Akhtar Take a Dig at Ranveer Singh Over ‘Don 3’ Exit?

Bollywood is abuzz following a pointed remark by acclaimed filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, which many are interpreting as a direct, albeit playful, jab at Ranveer Singh in the wake of his highly publicised exit from the much-anticipated film Don 3. Akhtar's comments, made during an interview on the 25th anniversary of his iconic directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai, have reignited discussions about professional commitments and project departures in the industry. Farhan Akhtar Celebrates 25 Years of Cult Classic ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, Says Akash, Sameer and Sid Haven’t Aged a Day (View Post).

Did Farhan Akhtar Take a Swipe at Ranveer Singh?

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India on August 10, 2026, during the closing night of the Monsoon Film Festival, Farhan Akhtar reminisced about the challenges faced during the production of Dil Chahta Hai. He recounted a particularly stressful incident where actor Saif Ali Khan almost walked out of the film due to a scheduling conflict with another project.

Akhtar revealed the incident occurred "maybe about a month away from filming" and described the prospect of losing Khan as "true heartbreak," stating, "When we met him, there was nobody else who could've played that part. It was just impossible."

However, it was his subsequent remark that caught significant attention. Drawing a parallel to current industry trends, Akhtar commented, "which seems to be a pattern nowadays." When the interviewer chuckled, Akhtar added, "Not just with me. Aisa bhi hota hai" (These things also happen).

Though Ranveer Singh was not explicitly named, the timing and context of the statement have led most industry observers to interpret it as a clear reference to Singh's recent contentious departure from Don 3, a project that was set to feature him in the titular role following Shah Rukh Khan's successful run.

25 Years of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’

Akhtar's interview coincided with the silver jubilee celebration of 'Dil Chahta Hai', which premiered on August 10, 2001. The film, marking Akhtar's directorial debut and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani under their banner Excel Entertainment, starred Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni, and Dimple Kapadia. With music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyrics by Javed Akhtar, it redefined modern Hindi cinema with its fresh take on friendship, love, and self-discovery.

During his reflections for The Hollywood Reporter India, Akhtar shared insights into what he might alter if he were to make the film today. He indicated he would approach the climax of the romantic arc between Aamir Khan and Preity Zinta differently, aiming to tone down its high drama. Additionally, Akhtar suggested he would leave Akshaye Khanna's character, Sid, alone at the film's conclusion, rather than hinting at a new romance, allowing for a more open-ended fate after his unfulfilled relationship with Tara.

‘Don 3’ Row

The controversy surrounding Don 3 began escalating in late 2025 when reports surfaced about Ranveer Singh's exit from the project. Singh was officially announced as the new Don in August 2023, stepping into the shoes previously filled by Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. However, by December 2025, just weeks before filming was slated to commence in January 2026, Singh reportedly informed the producers of his decision to withdraw.

This abrupt departure led to a significant fallout, with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment reportedly demanding substantial compensation of ₹45 crore for pre-production expenses already incurred. While some reports suggested Singh's dissatisfaction with the script or even alleged considerations of Hrithik Roshan for the role, other sources indicated that Singh became more selective with projects after the immense success of his film Dhurandhar (released December 5, 2025). The dispute even involved legal entities and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), with reports stating that FWICE announced a non-cooperation move against Ranveer Singh, though they later revoked it and clarified he was not banned. Ranveer Singh reportedly issued a legal notice to the organisation. ‘Pralay’: Amid ‘Don 3’ Row, Ranveer Singh To Kick Off International Shoot for Zombie Thriller THIS Month in 2026.

As of now, Don 3, which was deep in pre-production with filming slated for early 2026, remains in limbo following these developments. Farhan Akhtar is set to direct and produce the film under Excel Entertainment, with Kiara Advani also previously attached to the cast. The ongoing Don 3 saga highlights the increasing complexities and pressures within Bollywood productions, particularly concerning star commitments and financial ramifications.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2026 10:18 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).