After months of rumors, delays, and heated social media debates, Don 3 finally has a shooting date locked in. And yes, Ranveer Singh is still the new Don — whether fans like it or not.
The film, which has been making waves ever since Farhan Akhtar first teased it, will begin shooting in January 2026, with a release eyed for December the same year. The baton has officially been passed, and the franchise is now on a new path — one that isn’t without resistance.
The Wait’s Been Long, the Stakes Even Higher
It was supposed to start last year.
That’s what fans were told, at least. But like many high-profile Bollywood projects, Don 3 kept hitting pause — script rewrites, scheduling conflicts, and, of course, the mammoth task of rebooting a character once played by Shah Rukh Khan. Not just once — but iconically.
People weren’t ready. Some still aren’t. The online chatter when Ranveer was officially announced was intense. Forums, Twitter threads, YouTube reactions — all of it felt like a referendum on whether anyone could possibly replace SRK as the suave criminal mastermind.
But instead of reacting, both Ranveer and Farhan chose silence. And it wasn’t just damage control.
Ranveer Went Underground — On Purpose
According to Bollywood Hungama, a source close to the project said Ranveer and Farhan Akhtar deliberately stepped away from the spotlight.
“They mutually decided to lie low and let the heat die down,” the source shared with Subhash K. Jha. “Ranveer also needed time to physically and mentally prepare for the role, which requires rigorous martial arts training.”
Makes sense. You don’t just walk into Don’s shoes — you train your body, reset your mindset, and find a whole new gear.
And Ranveer knows that. He’s built his reputation on commitment. The kind of actor who’ll gain 10 kilos for a role, then drop 15 for the next.
But this? This is different.
Why Farhan Didn’t Go Back to Shah Rukh
So why not just make Don 3 with SRK again? That question’s been bouncing around ever since the announcement.
Farhan Akhtar, speaking to Raj Shamani a while back, cleared the air.
He explained that the new script needed fresh blood. A different tone. A different age bracket. “What I wanted to do with it,” he said, “needed the next generation of actors.”
He also hinted that this Don isn’t about flamboyance or swagger alone. Instead, it demands restraint. Silence. That low-simmering intensity. In Farhan’s words: “There is a certain holding everything inside that is needed for this character.”
That’s what excited him about Ranveer — a guy whose whole brand is energy and chaos being asked to do something cold and calculating. A challenge, sure. But also a risk.
Vikrant Massey Joins the Party — as the Bad Guy
Now this is the part that surprised quite a few.
Vikrant Massey, fresh off his critically acclaimed performance in 12th Fail, is joining Don 3 — and he’s not playing second fiddle. He’s reportedly taking on the villain role, setting up a face-off with Ranveer Singh that could light up the screen.
These two go way back. Lootera in 2013. Dil Dhadakne Do in 2015. But this time, it’s personal. And intense.
Fans of Massey are buzzing. He’s never really done a full-blown antagonist before, but given how effortlessly he slides into roles, there’s excitement to see him go dark.
Just imagine the dynamic — Ranveer’s internalized Don squaring up with Massey’s calculating villain. Could be electric.
Shooting Timeline and Production Details
It’s official. Shooting starts January 2026.
That’s what the insiders are saying. And the production team — headed by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment — wants to release it by December 2026. Which means a full year of work ahead.
Here’s a quick look at the schedule expectations:
| Phase | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-production | Ongoing till Dec 2025 | Training, set building, final scripting |
| Shooting | Jan 2026 – Sep 2026 | Principal photography, domestic + overseas |
| Post-production | Oct – Nov 2026 | Editing, VFX, scoring |
| Target Release | Dec 2026 | Tentatively Christmas weekend |
That’s if everything goes to plan. And let’s be honest — with a project like this, there’s always a twist waiting in the wings.
Public Reaction Still a Mixed Bag
It’s been almost a year since Ranveer was officially announced as Don.
Has the noise died down?
Sort of.
There are still loyalists — folks who swear no one can ever replace SRK. And then there are curious ones, intrigued by Farhan’s vision and willing to give Ranveer a shot.
One user on Reddit put it this way: “If Farhan wanted to copy-paste the old Don, he’d stick with Shah Rukh. The fact he didn’t means he’s aiming for something new. So let’s see what this is.”
Fair point.
What’s Next for Ranveer?
Even before Don 3 hits floors, Ranveer will be seen in Dhurandhar, a big-budget spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar. That film — starring Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R. Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt — is set to release on December 5, 2025.
That could end up working as a good warm-up for Don 3.
Different story, sure. But spy thrillers, physical action, mind games — all of it could help prep him for the biggest challenge of his career.
Because make no mistake — Don 3 isn’t just another role. It’s a legacy.
