Highlights:
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Excel Entertainment is reportedly seeking about $5 million from Ranveer Singh
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The dispute followed Ranveer Singh’s alleged exit from Don 3 in December
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Producers cite sunk development and pre-production expenses
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Ranveer Singh reportedly exited due to dissatisfaction with the script
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The Producers Guild of India has stepped in to mediate the dispute
Ranveer Singh has reportedly been asked to pay nearly $5 million in damages by Farhan Akhtar’s production house, Excel Entertainment, following his alleged decision to exit Don 3. The development, reported by Variety India, has brought renewed attention to the stalled Bollywood project and sparked discussion across the Hindi film industry.
According to the report, Excel Entertainment claims it suffered significant financial losses after Ranveer Singh withdrew from Don 3 late last year. The production house has reportedly demanded compensation for development expenses, pre-production investments, and costs linked to delays that arose once the film came to a halt.
The dispute involving Ranveer Singh and Don 3 has since become a major talking point within industry circles, with questions being raised about contractual obligations, creative disagreements, and accountability for financial risk.
Ranveer Singh exit from ‘Don 3’ and Excel Entertainment’s claim
Sources cited by Variety India state that Excel Entertainment had already committed substantial resources to Don 3 before Ranveer Singh’s reported exit. These included costs related to script development, production planning, and preliminary scheduling.
A letter accessed by the publication reportedly notes that the uncertainty surrounding Ranveer Singh’s involvement forced the production house to release several departments from the project. Heads of departments were allegedly asked to seek alternative work, as the film could no longer proceed as planned.
Based on these circumstances, Excel Entertainment reportedly believes Ranveer Singh should be held financially responsible for the losses incurred after his departure from Don 3. The production house maintains that these expenses were unavoidable and directly tied to decisions made after Singh’s approval.
Ranveer Singh dissatisfaction with the script
A central issue in the Don 3 dispute appears to be differing accounts of how the project broke down. A source familiar with the situation told Variety that Ranveer Singh was unhappy with the script and requested multiple revisions over time.
Despite changes being made, Ranveer Singh reportedly remained dissatisfied with the final draft and ultimately chose to walk away from Don 3. This version of events suggests that creative differences played a key role in his decision to exit the film.
Excel Entertainment, however, disputes this account. The production house reportedly insists that pre-production work began only after Ranveer Singh had approved the script. According to this view, Singh’s exit came after critical decisions had already been locked, exposing the project to financial risk.
Ranveer Singh meeting with Farhan Akhtar’s team
Reports also indicate that Ranveer Singh and representatives from Excel Entertainment held a two-hour meeting last Friday (6) in an attempt to resolve the matter. The discussion reportedly involved detailed exchanges over contractual terms, timelines, and responsibility for the stalled project.
Despite the length of the meeting, no resolution was reached. Both sides reportedly remained firm on their respective positions, with neither party agreeing on the extent of liability or compensation.
As a result, the dispute surrounding Ranveer Singh and Don 3 has continued without a clear outcome, prompting industry bodies to step in.
Producers Guild of India steps in over Ranveer Singh dispute
With tensions escalating, the Producers Guild of India has reportedly begun mediating between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment. The guild is said to be attempting to find common ground and prevent the issue from developing into a prolonged legal conflict.
Industry observers note that such mediation is often used in high-profile disputes to avoid court proceedings that can damage reputations and delay future collaborations.
For now, the involvement of the Producers Guild signals an effort to resolve the Ranveer Singh Don 3 issue internally, without formal litigation.
Online reaction to Ranveer Singh and ‘Don 3’ fallout
The reported compensation demand has triggered strong reactions online, particularly on Reddit, where many users have expressed support for Ranveer Singh. Several commenters questioned whether Excel Entertainment has written proof that legally binds the actor to the project.
Others argued that if Ranveer Singh had received a signing fee, he should only be required to return that amount, adjusted for any promotional activity already completed. Some users also raised doubts about the reported scale of losses, suggesting that spending nearly $5 million during pre-production appeared unusually high, even for a major franchise film.
There were also suggestions that the compensation demand may be linked to broader pressures faced by production houses amid recent box office underperformance.
Ranveer Singh and the uncertain future of ‘Don 3’
Don 3 was officially announced by Farhan Akhtar in 2023, with a teaser featuring Ranveer Singh that generated widespread attention and anticipation. However, the project failed to move forward, and later reports suggested it had been pushed to the back burner due to casting and scheduling issues.
As of now, neither Ranveer Singh nor Excel Entertainment has issued an official public statement addressing the reported $5 million compensation claim. Until mediation efforts conclude or formal clarification is provided, the future of Don 3 and the outcome of the dispute remain uncertain.
