Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3 continues to generate buzz as pre-production for the highly anticipated action-thriller moves forward. The third installment in the rebooted Don universe will see Ranveer Singh stepping into the iconic titular role, with Kriti Sanon confirmed as the female lead. The film is slated to begin shooting in January 2026, with Farhan currently scouting international locations, including London, for its high-octane sequences.
Earlier this week, the internet was abuzz with speculation that Telugu star Vijay Deverakonda had been roped in to play the film’s antagonist, reportedly replacing Vikrant Massey, who was previously linked to the role. Fans quickly began to visualise an electrifying face-off between Ranveer and Vijay in Akhtar’s stylised action universe, causing the chatter to trend widely across social media.
The excitement around Vijay’s potential Bollywood comeback in a negative role was understandable. After his debut with Liger alongside Ananya Panday, which underperformed at the box office, the possibility of his return in a high-profile franchise like Don generated considerable fan frenzy.
However, reports from Gulte.com have clarified that while Vijay was indeed approached for the antagonist’s role, he has politely declined the offer. According to sources, the actor is currently focused on his upcoming Telugu projects and is taking a selective approach towards Bollywood scripts. Although the opportunity to join a legacy franchise was appealing, the timing and nature of the role reportedly did not align with his current plans.
With Vijay stepping away, it remains to be seen who will ultimately take on the antagonist’s role in Don 3. The casting process is still underway, with more official announcements expected in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Vijay Deverakonda is gearing up for the release of his upcoming spy action thriller Kingdom, directed by Gowtham Tinnanuri and starring Bhagyashri Borse. After a few delays, the film is set to hit theatres on July 31.
With Ranveer Singh leading the cast and Farhan Akhtar returning to the director’s chair, Don 3 is shaping up to be one of Bollywood’s most anticipated action thrillers as it heads towards its January 2026 shoot.
By Sulagna Kar
