No Shah Rukh Khan in Don 3! Farhan Akhtar set to reboot Don Franchise with new lead

The buzz around Don 3 has been quite high since a couple of days after Excel Entertainment’s Ritesh Sidhwani confirmed about Farhan Akhtar finishing the script for the third instalment of the Don Franchise. However, it seems, the makers have plans of introducing a new ‘Don’ instead of repeating Shah Rukh Khan in the titular role.

The recent announcement of confirming Don 3 filled excitement among fans of SRK. Moreover, it is being speculated that Amitabh Bachchan might also share the screen with the Pathaan actor in Don 3. However, Ritesh cleared the air that he is unaware of the story plot. While fans are eagerly waiting for Don 3’s official update, it seems, Shah Rukh may not reprise his role in the third edition.

Also Read: Don 3 confirmed! Farhan Akhtar finishing script for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer

As reported by Pinkvilla, Shah Rukh has decided to exit the Don franchise. The entertainment portal quoted a source close to the development as saying, “Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have had multiple detailed discussions with Shah Rukh Khan on Don 3. Before the pandemic, a couple of ideas were also discussed, which took the shape of a script through the pandemic.”

Further, the source added, “Meetings have happened recently too, but Shah Rukh is not too keen to get back as Don again at this point in time. He is willing to do commercial films that cater to a universal section of the audience, and Don certainly doesn’t fit the bracket of cinema that he is willing to do for the coming few years. He has conveyed his decision to the stakeholders at Excel.”

Farhan had plans of making the franchise bigger. With this plan, he also came up with a unique idea of bringing three generations of Don together in which Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and a gen-next star will come in one movie. This would have laid down a platform for the generational shift of Don, informed the source.

However, SRK felt that the idea of spinning Don Universe would be gimmicky and advised Farhan and the team about his exit, the source added.

Also Read: Don 3: Will Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan lock horns to claim title?

Meanwhile, Farhan is working on a fresh script for Don's reboot with a new leading man. 

The source informed that the makers are in talks with an actor who has done two films with Excel in the last decade. Though he is keen to step into the shoes of Don, he has his reservations too, as the legacy of the franchise and the actors who portrayed Don before can’t be replicated by anyone. Don will be rebooted once one of the younger actors takes up the challenge,” said the source.

However, there is no official confirmation backing the claims. Fans need to wait for an official update from the makers.