Director Farhan Akhtar and actor Ranveer Singh have been at odds following the latter’s sudden exit from Don 3, a move that has reportedly cost the project about Rs 40 crore. Although previously the filmmaker has not commented on the issue owing to legalities, he has now spoken about it for the first time, revealing what he learnt from the “messy” chapter of his career.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Farhan was asked about his learnings from all that transpired. He said, “What I've learned is to expect the unexpected. Nothing can be taken for granted until you actually have it on film. That’s really what it is.”
He then went on to recall the many pleasant experiences he has had throughout his career, adding that he is unfazed by encountering an occasional hurdle along the way. Speaking about his debut directorial Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Farhan said, “I also feel that from the time that I began – from that moment when Aamir Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta, Dimple Kapadia, Saif Ali Khan, and Ritesh Sidhwani, as my partner, till they came on and said yes, ‘let’s make this film’ – from that moment on I've had the most incredible ride. It has just been (about) working with the people I want to work with, whether directing them or acting in films that I want to act in with directors. And it has been amazing. You realise that at some point, there will be a period that’s going to be a little bit more challenging. You have had it good, so it’s okay… Just take it in your stride.”
It all started when Ranveer, after Dhurandhar's release in December 2025, suddenly walked out of Don 3. Farhan didn't accept the decision lying down, and according to multiple reports, escalated the issue by involving the Producers Guild of India. In a meeting of the Guild members, also attended by Farhan and his co-producer Ritesh Sidhwani, it was alleged that about Rs 40 crore had already been spent by Excel on pre-production of Don 3, and the script was approved by Ranveer at every stage. He, on the other hand, alleged that Farhan had put Don 3 on the backburner, owing to Ranveer's career slump then. The Guild advised them to resolve the issue amicably than go the legal way.
Earlier this month, it was reported that Ranveer has offered to return his signing amount of Rs 10 crore to Excel Entertainment. Also to compensate for the pre-production amount spent by them, Ranveer has also offered a stake in his next film, tentatively titled Pralay, with the exact percentage yet to be revealed. Later, sources close to the production house, however, denied these claims, as per SCREEN. They say the situation remains unchanged and that talks are still ongoing.