Farhan Akhtar pauses ‘Don 3’, shifts focus to ‘Jee Le Zaraa’

After months of speculation surrounding the future of Don 3, Farhan Akhtar has decided to place the franchise on hold and redirect his attention to Jee Le Zaraa, a project that has remained close to him for years. The move comes amid ongoing delays related to casting decisions for Don 3, prompting Farhan Akhtar to step back from the franchise until greater clarity emerges.

Farhan Akhtar, who has been closely involved as actor, director, and producer, is now actively working to revive Jee Le Zaraa, a long-pending road-trip film that reunites him with Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti. The trio previously collaborated on films such as Dil Chahta Hai and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, both of which are considered defining works in the genre.

Farhan Akhtar and the Delay Surrounding Don 3

According to a report cited by Pinkvilla, the delay in Don 3 is primarily linked to extended casting discussions. While Ranveer Singh was earlier announced as the lead, the production has not moved forward as expected. Sources indicate that Farhan Akhtar remains cautious about finalizing the cast and wants complete confidence before proceeding.

“Farhan feels the casting of Don is crucial. He wants to be sure about who steps into the role, and it is a longer process,” the source said.

The report suggests that Farhan Akhtar is not rushing the process, given the significance of the Don franchise and the expectations attached to it. Rather than moving ahead without certainty, Farhan Akhtar has chosen to step back temporarily and reassess the project once key elements fall into place.

Farhan Akhtar Refocuses on Jee Le Zaraa

With Don 3 taking longer than anticipated, Farhan Akhtar has shifted his focus to Jee Le Zaraa, a film that has been in development for several years. The project brings together Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti under the banners of Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Films.

The film marks a creative reunion for the trio, who are widely credited with shaping modern Hindi cinema’s approach to friendship-based narratives. Jee Le Zaraa is positioned as a road-trip film centered on female friendships, self-discovery, and independence.

The project is also expected to serve as the concluding chapter in an unofficial road-trip trilogy that began with Dil Chahta Hai and continued with Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Given the legacy of these films, expectations around Jee Le Zaraa remain high.

Farhan Akhtar, Casting, and Scheduling Challenges

Despite strong creative alignment, Jee Le Zaraa has faced repeated delays due to scheduling conflicts involving its three lead actors Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. All three have been attached to the project since its announcement, but aligning their timelines has proven challenging.

The latest update suggests that Farhan Akhtar has restarted discussions with the actors and their teams in an effort to resolve scheduling issues. The script is reportedly locked, and the film is ready to move forward once logistical hurdles are cleared.

“Jee Le Zaraa has always been special for Farhan. With Don 3 taking time at the casting stage, he felt this was the right moment to revive discussions with the original team and push the film forward,” the source added.

Industry insiders indicate that the delays are no longer related to creative concerns but are purely logistical. All parties involved remain interested in the project and are working toward finding a common shooting window.

Farhan Akhtar and the Road Ahead for Jee Le Zaraa

If scheduling issues are resolved, Jee Le Zaraa is expected to go on floors in the second half of 2026. For Farhan Akhtar, the film represents a return to a genre that played a significant role in shaping his career as a filmmaker.

The renewed focus on Jee Le Zaraa also signals Farhan Akhtar’s intent to prioritize projects that hold long-term creative value. While Don 3 remains on pause rather than canceled, its timeline will depend on how casting discussions progress in the coming months.

As Farhan Akhtar balances multiple roles across acting, directing, and production, the decision to step back from Don 3 underscores a cautious and deliberate approach. For now, attention remains firmly on Jee Le Zaraa, as audiences wait to see the filmmaker return to familiar storytelling territory with a new perspective.

With Farhan Akhtar once again at the center of industry conversations, both projects continue to generate interest, even as timelines remain fluid.