The ongoing dispute surrounding Don 3 has revealed new details about the behind-the-scenes disagreements that eventually led to Ranveer Singh’s exit from the much-anticipated film. While the controversy has already sparked intense debate within Bollywood, fresh reports have shed light on what was discussed during a series of private mediation meetings involving some of the industry’s most influential names.
According to reports, the issue reached the Producers Guild of India after filmmaker Farhan Akhtar sought intervention following differences with Ranveer Singh over the project. Several informal mediation sessions were reportedly held over the past year, bringing together leading producers, directors and actors in an effort to resolve the matter amicably.
Industry veterans including Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor, Rohit Shetty, Rajkumar Hirani and Ashutosh Gowariker were among those said to be involved in discussions at various stages. While Ranveer was reportedly absent from the initial meetings, he later joined key sessions to explain his side of the story.
During the discussions, Ranveer reportedly outlined several concerns that influenced his decision to step away from Don 3. One of his primary issues was the script, which he allegedly felt had not reached a stage where he was fully convinced about moving forward. The actor is also said to have expressed concerns regarding Farhan Akhtar’s availability, suggesting that the filmmaker’s commitments to multiple projects and live performances could impact the film’s progress.
Another major point of contention reportedly involved financial aspects of the project. Ranveer is said to have claimed that his remuneration was renegotiated and reduced during the development process. He also reportedly alleged that the film’s overall budget had been significantly scaled down from the initially discussed figure of ₹300–350 crore to approximately ₹150 crore.
In addition, the actor reportedly maintained that he never received a signing amount for the project.
Farhan Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani, however, are said to have strongly disputed several of these claims. Reports suggest that the producers presented communication records, including WhatsApp exchanges, which they believe demonstrate Ranveer’s approval of the script at different stages of development. They also reportedly denied that the actor’s agreed fee had been reduced after negotiations had concluded.
One of the most talked-about moments from the mediation sessions reportedly came when Ritesh Sidhwani directly asked Ranveer whether he would have exited Don 3 had his recent film Dhurandhar not become a success. According to reports, the actor admitted that he likely would have continued with the project under different circumstances. The exchange reportedly became a key talking point during the discussions.
The financial dispute also remains unresolved. Reports claim that Excel Entertainment is seeking compensation of around ₹45 crore for expenses incurred during the film’s pre-production phase. In response, Ranveer reportedly offered an immediate settlement of ₹10 crore and proposed a 25 percent discount on his fee for any future project produced by the banner.
However, the offer was allegedly declined by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, who reportedly stated that they did not foresee collaborating with the actor again in the future.
Despite the ongoing disagreements, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) recently withdrew its non-cooperation directive against Ranveer Singh. At the same time, the controversy has sparked a wider conversation within the film industry about contractual commitments, project exits, and the responsibilities of actors and producers when large-scale productions face unexpected setbacks.
As the matter continues to attract attention, industry insiders believe the outcome could influence how future disputes between stars and production houses are handled in Bollywood. For now, Don 3 remains at the centre of one of the industry’s most closely watched conflicts, with both sides standing firm on their positions.
