There’s always a little drama behind big Bollywood franchises but the story of ‘Don 3’ is starting to sound like a full-blown plot twist no one saw coming.
Actor-director Farhan Akhtar is not sugarcoating it. The film that was supposed to bring together Ranveer Singh and Kiara Advani has quietly slipped into uncertainty, and even he admits: nothing is certain until the camera actually rolls.
‘Don 3’ hits pause as cast walks away
What began as one of the most talked-about casting moves in Bollywood is now on hold. ‘Don 3’, the next chapter in the stylish action franchise, was expected to feature Ranveer Singh stepping into the iconic role, with Kiara Advani as the female lead. But both actors reportedly stepped back after rethinking their personal and professional priorities.
That left the project hanging mid-air.
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Farhan Akhtar, who is directing the film, called the situation “challenging” but didn’t sound defeated. Instead, he seemed almost philosophical about it. In a recent chat, he said the biggest lesson from the whole ‘Don 3’ situation is simple: expect surprises.
According to him, nothing in filmmaking is guaranteed. Not scripts, not casting, not even timelines. “Nothing can be taken for granted until you have it on film,” he said, making it clear that plans can change overnight in this industry.
And right now, ‘Don 3’ is very much in that unpredictable zone.
“Expect the unexpected”: Farhan’s takeaway from the chaos
Farhan isn’t new to ups and downs. Since making his directorial debut with Dil Chahta Hai, he has built a career that jumps between acting, directing, and producing.
Looking back, he sounds grateful more than frustrated.
He spoke about how lucky he feels to have worked with people he respects and to have chosen projects he genuinely believed in. For him, that matters more than one film getting delayed or stuck.
But he also didn’t pretend everything has been smooth. In fact, he openly admitted that every creative career comes with phases that test you, not just professionally, but emotionally too.
There are moments, he said, when you start questioning everything. Whether you still have the same drive, whether the industry still sees you the same way, whether your choices are working. Those doubts, he explained, are part of the journey.
Instead of resisting it, he’s learned to accept it.
Old wounds, new perspective: from Lakshya to now
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a film has shaken him.
Farhan went back to 2004, when ‘Lakshya’, his ambitious war drama starring Hrithik Roshan, failed to perform at the box office.
Today, ‘Lakshya’ is widely loved and often called a cult film. But back then, its failure hit him hard.
He admitted that it took him a long time to process that disappointment. It wasn’t just about numbers. It affected him deeply on a personal level.
That experience, however, seems to have shaped how he handles situations like ‘Don 3’ today.