Don, the well-known anti-hero spanning two generations of Bollywood, is set to return to the production stage after an era. Created in 1978 by the renowned writer duo Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan, the character came to life through the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, famously known as Big B. Thanks to Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan, the 2006 and 2011 installments propelled the character to soaring stardom. This time, in the upcoming film Don 3, Ranveer Singh will be taking over the reins. Let`s get to know how this significant change is going to impact movie lovers.
Don 3: A New Era in the Don Franchise
On Wednesday, August 9th, the production company Excel Entertainment released the teaser for Don 3. Ranveer Singh`s appearance as the new Don introduced an explosive approach to a new era in the franchise.
Excel Entertainment acquired the rights to the 1978 film titled "Don" and remade it in 2006. Following the success of the film, its sequel was released five years later. Now, after a twelve-year gap, the same producer and director are gearing up for the third installment.
Farhan Akhtar will be writing and directing the movie, produced by Ritesh Sidhwani. The film is currently in its early stages of production, with a target release date of 2025. The story has already been completed, and co-written by the director himself and Gayatri.
The musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy will continue to compose the film`s music. The team, consisting of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, and Loy Mendonsa, is renowned for creating the iconic theme music of Don.
The most significant change will be in the casting. Just as the lead actor is changing, so is the female lead. However, the actress set to portray the character Roma has not yet been officially announced.
The 1978 version featured Zeenat Aman, while Priyanka Chopra delivered a standout performance in the remake and sequel. Although Kiara Advani has joined the Don 3 team, her role as Roma has not been confirmed yet.
The teaser has been promoted in theaters during "Gadar 2" and "OMG 2." Ranveer Singh will commence shooting for this film immediately after completing Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s "Baiju Bawra". The production team is also weaving a grand plan for future Don movies in collaboration with Singh.
How the Role Went to Ranveer Singh from Shah Rukh Khan
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani engaged in several discussions with Shah Rukh Khan about the film. Unfortunately, King Khan expressed no interest in reprising this role. He has shifted his focus towards world-class commercial films. He aims to attract diverse audiences from various cultures. He intends to keep himself occupied with these types of movies, and he didn`t find the Don movie aligns well with his vision.
To sustain the franchise`s vitality, the team aimed to emphasize Don`s evolution over time. Based on this vision, they chose to introduce a rising star. However, SRK, who recently completed "Dunki" and "Jawan," did not embrace the idea.
Ranveer Singh in Don 3 Trailer
Ranveer Singh as Don: The Pulse of Don Fandom
The absence of SRK has sparked a wave of complaints among netizens. The hashtag #BoycottDon3 is a manifestation of the fervent passion of diehard fans for Shah Rukh. Many are suggesting a return of Amitabh Bachchan to give the franchise a majestic conclusion through the demise of the character. Most fans are yearning for a perfect trilogy ending with Shah Rukh. There has been a surge of requests not to cast Ranveer Singh as Don.
This reaction primarily stems from the unwavering affection of fans for Shah Rukh and the character. The beloved hero`s charisma compels audiences to be captivated by the screen in any movie. This sentiment is particularly strong when it involves an iconic character like this.
Furthermore, the remakes and sequels have consistently maintained a remarkable track record since Don`s debut in the 1980s. The third installment bears the weight of this rich legacy.
The original film won awards in three categories at the 26th Filmfare Awards. The remake received the Best Asian Film Award at the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival. It also secured the fifth position among the highest-grossing movies of the year.
The sequel stood out as the most precious and acclaimed one. It earned 5 Filmfare Awards and secured the second spot among the highest-earning films of its release year.
Ranveer Singh and the Prospects of the New Don
Ranveer Singh marked his entry with the lead role in Yash Raj Films` "Band Baaja Baaraat." His debut performance won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Through his outstanding acting in the 2013 film "Lootera", he managed to draw the attention of acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The same year saw him being cast as the lead in the movie "Ram Leela." Since then, his stardom has been on a steady ascent.
He continued to receive Filmfare Awards for his roles in "Bajirao Mastani" (2015), "Padmaavat" (2018), "Simmba" (2018), "Gully Boy" (2019), and "83" (2021).
So for good reason, Ranveer Singh has been widely recognized by top film critics in Bollywood as a powerhouse performer. Therefore, even though the original Don may not appear, the potential for his fresh and illustrious iteration cannot be dismissed.
Wrap Up
Considering Shah Rukh Khan`s iconic position in Bollywood in the first Don remake, Ranveer Singh will be a new face. As this is a famed role of SRK, audiences perceive no equal replacement for him in this role. Additionally, Shah Rukh`s enduring popularity over two decades weighs in favor of the fans` impassioned sentiments. However, change often ushers in new dimensions of interest. Time will tell to what extent Ranveer Singh can portray the character, and audiences will have to await the Don 3 film`s release to find out.
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