MUMBAI, February 14, 2026 – Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan has officially shut down intense speculation regarding his involvement in Farhan Akhtar’s embattled action-thriller, Don 3.
In a firm statement issued on February 13, 2026, the Fighter star clarified that he was never in the running to take over the mantle from Ranveer Singh, who reportedly walked out of the franchise late last year.
“Never Approached”: Hrithik Sets the Record Straight
Addressing the rumors that have dominated social media for weeks, Roshan expressed the need to stop the spread of misinformation.
“What started off as just a rumour has now taken a life of its own, and it’s important to set the record straight,” the actor stated. “I would like to categorically clarify that I was never approached for Don 3 at any given time. I request the media to steer clear of any such unverified reports.”
The denial comes as a blow to fans who hoped Roshan—who made a memorable cameo in Don 2 (2011)—would step into the iconic role originally pioneered by Amitabh Bachchan and later solidified by Shah Rukh Khan.
The ‘Don 3’ Crisis: Why Ranveer Singh Exited
The casting vacuum began in December 2025 following a high-profile fallout between Ranveer Singh and Excel Entertainment. Despite being announced as the new face of the franchise in August 2023, Singh reportedly exited due to:
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Script Disagreements: Singh allegedly cited the lack of a “bound script” and creative differences with director Farhan Akhtar.
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Production Delays: Continuous rescheduling conflicted with Singh’s other major commitments, including the upcoming zombie-actioner Pralay.
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The Dhurandhar Factor: Following the massive box-office success of Singh’s film Dhurandhar, market dynamics and remuneration negotiations reportedly added strain to the partnership.
A ₹40 Crore Legal Deadlock
The situation has escalated beyond creative differences into a financial battle. Excel Entertainment, co-owned by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, is reportedly seeking ₹40 crore in compensation from Ranveer Singh for sunk pre-production costs.
The Producers Guild of India is scheduled to mediate the dispute later this month. Insiders suggest the Guild is using this case to potentially draft new industry-wide policies regarding actor exits and mounting entourage expenses.
What’s Next for the Don Franchise?
With Hrithik Roshan officially out of the picture and Ranveer Singh’s exit seemingly permanent, the future of Don 3 remains “in limbo.” Reports suggest Farhan Akhtar may pivot his focus toward his long-awaited female-led road trip film, Jee Le Zaraa, while the search for a new Don begins anew.
Hrithik Roshan, meanwhile, remains focused on his directorial debut with Krrish 4 and the highly anticipated War 2.
Stay tuned to PingTV for the latest Bollywood updates and exclusive scoops on the Don 3 casting saga.
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