It's official! Ranveer Singh replaces Shah Rukh Khan, to play lead role in Farhan Akhtar's 'Don 3'

The news fans were eagerly waiting for is finally out! Bollywood heartthrob Ranveer Singh is the new Don.

Alongside a short teaser, the makers confirmed the speculations on Wednesday morning that the 'Padmaavat' actor will replace superstar Shah Rukh Khan to essay the lead role in the highly-anticipated 'Don 3', directed and written by actor, singer and film-maker Farhan Akhtar.

Ritesh Sidhwani's production banner Excel Entertainment's caption read, "A New Era Begins. #Don3."


The two-minute-long video revealed the first look of the actor in the titular character. Singh and Akhtar also shared the same on their respective social media handles.


The news of Singh joining 'Don 3' comes a day after Akhtar officially announced the project.

In an earlier post, the film-maker said that he will take the film series forward in a new interpretation with "an actor (Singh) whose talent and versatility" he has long admired.

'Don 3' marks Akhtar and Singh's reunion since they acted in Zoya Akhtar's 2015 movie 'Dil Dhadakne Do'. It is expected to be released sometime in 2025.

The film-maker, who helmed the first two parts, has penned the story of the third instalment in collaboration with Pushkar and Gayatri of "Vikram Vedha" fame.

Musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, consisting of Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa, will provide music for the film.

While King Khan has reportedly given a thumbs-up to Excel's choice for the new 'Don', he is yet to respond on the new trailer of the much-awaited movie.

The first instalment of 'Don', featuring the Badshah of Bollywood and global icon Priyanka Chopra, hit the screens in 2006. The second part was released in 2011. Both films were directed by Akhtar.

'Don' also starred featured Boman Irani in a key role. The film won the Best Asian Film at the Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival. Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan also made a special appearance in 'Don 2'.

Akhtar's directorial was a remake of the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer 'Don', written by veteran writer duo Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan. Excel Entertainment had bought the rights to the 1978 film.