Speaking during an interaction with The Hollywood Reporter India to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai, Akhtar reflected on last-minute casting hurdles and noted that actors walking away weeks before shooting has become "a pattern nowadays."
The 'Dil Chahta Hai' Context & The "Pattern" Remark
While recalling the making of Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Akhtar shared how co-star Saif Ali Khan almost backed out of playing Sameer just days before principal photography began due to scheduling conflicts with another project:
Near-Heartbreak in 2001: Akhtar revealed that Saif's potential exit at the time felt like his "head was destroyed," as he could not imagine anyone else in the role.
The Quip: Connecting that memory to recent events, Akhtar remarked:
"It was a month away from filming, which seems to be a pattern nowadays."
The Follow-Up: As the interviewer laughed at the obvious reference to Ranveer's departure from Don 3, Akhtar smiled and added:
"But, not just with me... things like this happen too."
Background: The 'Don 3' Fallout
The friction between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment dates back to late 2025, when the actor reportedly walked away from Don 3 just weeks before production was scheduled to commence:
Compensation Demands: Excel Entertainment reportedly demanded ₹45 crore in compensation from Singh to recover pre-production expenses incurred prior to his exit.
Cine Body Involvement: The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) briefly issued a non-cooperation directive against the actor over the project disruption. FWICE later withdrew the directive and clarified that Singh was not banned from working in the industry.
Ranveer's Concerns: According to reports submitted to the Producers Guild of India, Singh cited script dissatisfaction, a slashed budget (reduced from ₹300–350 crore down to ₹150 crore), downward pay renegotiation, and concerns over Akhtar's availability due to concert tours and acting assignments as key reasons for stepping away.
Trade Verdict:
While Ranveer Singh has largely maintained silence through his legal team and spokesperson, Farhan Akhtar’s latest quip brings the unresolved Don 3 casting dispute back into the spotlight as Excel Entertainment re-evaluates the future roadmap and casting for the franchise.
