Don 3 twist no one saw coming: Ranveer Singh walked away after 32 months of planning!

The mystery surrounding Ranveer Singh's exit from Don 3 refuses to die down. What makes the development particularly intriguing is that the project was reportedly not in a preliminary stage but had already undergone years of planning centered around the actor.

Industry reports indicate that nearly 32 months of development, strategy, and investment had gone into shaping the next chapter of the iconic franchise before the association reportedly ended in December 2025.

According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the groundwork for introducing Ranveer Singh as the new face of the Don universe began as early as April 2023. Excel Entertainment is said to have funded and filmed the announcement teaser months before unveiling it to audiences on August 9, 2023.

The Bold Gamble That Divided Fans

Ranveer's entry into the franchise marked a major transition, as he stepped into a role made popular by Shah Rukh Khan. The announcement triggered intense debate among moviegoers. While some fans embraced the fresh casting choice, others were skeptical about replacing an actor so strongly associated with the character.

Despite the divided reactions, reports suggest the makers remained firmly committed to their long-term vision and continued building the future of Don around Ranveer.

“People forget what Excel did for this project. They didn't merely cast Ranveer. They re-launched one of Hindi cinema's most iconic franchises around him. The entire Don 3 campaign, positioning and long-term planning revolved around Ranveer Singh despite his back-to-back flops,” reports stated.

From Paperwork to Production: The Project Kept Moving Forward

Sources cited in reports claim that discussions between the actor and the production house continued steadily over the next two years. A term sheet detailing the broad terms of Ranveer's involvement was reportedly signed in August 2024, while negotiations regarding a comprehensive agreement remained ongoing.

The creative process also appeared to be active. Reports suggest that the latest draft of the script was shared with the actor's team in March 2025, indicating that both sides were still engaged in discussions regarding the film's direction.

By then, many industry observers reportedly viewed the project as one inching closer to production rather than remaining in development.

Must Read: Producers Guild of India raises alarm over last-minute walkouts amid Ranveer Singh's Don 3 exit controversy

Months of Preparation Already Underway

Preparations reportedly intensified in the second half of 2025. In August, Excel Entertainment is said to have provided Ranveer's team with a detailed roadmap covering action workshops, costume trials, look tests, and shooting schedules. The plan allegedly involved principal photography beginning in January 2026 and continuing through July.

Reports further claim that Ranveer underwent action training between November 3 and November 12, 2025, with expenses reportedly borne by the production house.

Alongside the training, rehearsals, styling sessions, and multiple look tests were also said to have formed part of the film's preparation process.

“By that stage, this was not a film waiting for approvals. This was a film preparing to go on floors. Multiple departments had been activated, schedules had been blocked, and substantial money had already been spent,” an industry source reportedly stated.

The Timeline That Continues to Raise Questions

What has sparked the most debate within trade circles is the sequence of events immediately preceding Ranveer's departure. Reports indicate that the actor attended script-reading sessions with director Farhan Akhtar and other key cast members on December 15 and 16, 2025.

These meetings reportedly occurred just days before the collaboration came to an end. For many industry insiders, this timing remains difficult to reconcile with the eventual exit.

One trade veteran reportedly remarked, “That is the question everyone is asking. If there were fundamental problems with the script, budget or the project itself, why continue with action training, costume trials, rehearsals and script readings? Ranveer or his team have not convincingly answered that yet.”

Adding to the intrigue, a look test scheduled for December 17 was reportedly called off shortly before it was due to take place.

According to reports, Ranveer Singh informed the producers through a phone call on December 20 that he would no longer be part of the project.

An Industry Still Searching for Answers

While reports suggest that concerns regarding the project may have contributed to the actor's decision, neither Ranveer Singh nor his team has publicly offered a detailed explanation. As a result, speculation continues to dominate conversations across Bollywood trade circles.

With Don 3 still among the most eagerly awaited Hindi film projects, the circumstances surrounding Ranveer's departure remain a subject of intense scrutiny.

For many observers, the biggest question is not simply why he left—but why the exit happened after years of planning and only days before the project appeared ready to move into full-scale production.