The ongoing dispute over Ranveer Singh’s exit from Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3 has taken a sharp turn. Punjabi actor-singer Ammy Virk has publicly come out in support of his 83 co-stars, casting serious doubt on the timing of Excel Entertainment’s ₹45 crore compensation demand.
Virk suggested that the producers purposefully sidelined Ranveer during a low phase in his career, only to target him financially once he reclaimed his box-office draw.
What did Ammy Virk say about Ranveer Singh and Don 3?
Speaking to Connect Cine, Ammy Virk questioned why Excel Entertainment didn’t move forward with Don 3 production when the actor was struggling for a hit. He hinted that the sudden demand for ₹45 crore in pre-production damages feels reactionary, coming strictly after Ranveer delivered the massive blockbuster franchise Dhurandhar.
“I feel, when he had a few flops, then you [Excel] could have started Don 3. Then they ignored him. Now that Dhurandhar is a hit, they are asking for their money back.”
Virk dismissed the legal weight of the situation, adding that the actor shouldn’t be held liable for such an astronomical sum. “They can do whatever they want. Whatever they are owed of ₹2 to 4 crore, take that and move on. Who is going to give ₹45 crore?” he remarked, noting with a laugh that these types of Bollywood legal battles often drag on for 20 years without resolution.
What Triggered the ₹45 Crore Dispute?
The fans were actually very happy when Ranveer Singh was announced as the face of Don 3 back in August, 2023. But there was no update on the matter for about two years and suddenly the news of Ranveer Quitting the project came into news in December 2025.
The friction began when Ranveer Singh unexpectedly walked out of Don 3 just weeks before the film was scheduled to go on floors. Farhan Akhtar and his partner Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment filed a complaint with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), claiming the sudden exit caused ₹45 crore in definitive pre-production losses, including booked hotels, international location scouting, and hired crew members left without work.
Insiders reports a mix of scheduling conflicts, repeated script delays, and deep creative differences regarding the tone of the film as the reason for the conflict. Ranveer reportedly pushed for a darker, grittier, and more contemporary take on the iconic character. While Excel Entertainment insisted on preserving the distinct stylistic tone established by the previous Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan’s films.
Where Does the Controversy Stand Now?
The faceoff briefly took a drastic turn and became an industry crisis when FWICE issued a strict non-cooperation directive against Ranveer, effectively threatening a collaborative ban. However, after intervention from the Producers Guild of India and CINTAA president Poonam Dhillon who revealed Ranveer had gracefully offered ₹10 crore to cover actual losses alongside returning his initial signing amount and Ranveer sending a legal notice to FWICE, the non-cooperation directive was officially revoked.
While the public ban has been lifted to protect industry balance, the financial dispute between Ranveer and Excel Entertainment remains unresolved.
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