'Don 3' Fallout: Producers Guild of India Holds Meeting After Farhan Akhtar-Ritesh Sidhwani Lock Horns With Ranveer Singh Over Losses
Led by Ranveer Singh, 'Don 3' was being directed by Farhan Akhtar, who was also producing it with Ritesh Sidhwani.
The Producers Guild of India has held two closed-door meetings in the wake of Excel Entertainment approaching the body, claiming that actor Ranveer Singh's last-minute exit from Don 3 resulted in losses of approximately ₹40 crore. The film was being directed by Farhan Akhtar, who was also producing it with Ritesh Sidhwani.
According to a report in Bollywood Hungama, the first meeting was held to understand the issue and what happens to a producer when a film in which investments have gone and pre-production is underway, doesn't materialise. Sajid Nadiadwala, among senior producers, was present during the discussion.
On February 7, a detailed meeting was held where Aamir Khan, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ramesh Taurani and Kumar Taurani, among other key industry stakeholders, were present. THR India has independently verified that a meeting of such nature did take place.
According to the report, Singh blamed Excel Entertainment for "unprofessionalism" and not being serious about taking Don 3 on floors as Akhtar focused on other commitments, including acting.
The actor claimed that Akhtar neither had a bound script nor was open to feedback. The report further claimed that Singh alleged the makers of exploring the possibility of getting Hrithik Roshan on board and only "re-approached him after the success of Dhurandhar, to capitalise on his momentum.”
Akhtar, then, also reportedly presented documentation to counter claims about script dissatisfaction, stating that Singh "never flagged any script issues" and was not only eager to be the third generation of Don after Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan but was also approving the script at regular intervals.
"Excel Entertainment informed the Guild that Ranveer’s exit resulted in losses of approximately Rs. 40 crore, despite the producers agreeing to several of his demands. Farhan and Ritesh are now firm on seeking reimbursement and have urged producers’ bodies to frame resolutions against what they describe as unreasonable star demands," the report claimed.