Bollywood’s most elusive crime lord is gearing up for a comeback, as director Farhan Akhtar confirmed on February 25, 2025, that Don 3 will finally start shooting later this year. Speaking to India Today, Akhtar put rumors to rest, declaring, “Don 3 is starting this year, and 120 Bahadur will release at the end of the year.” The announcement reignites excitement for the third chapter of the iconic franchise, which began with Amitabh Bachchan in 1978 and was rebooted with Shah Rukh Khan in 2006 and 2011 under Akhtar’s helm.

Ranveer Singh takes the baton as the new Don, a casting choice unveiled in August 2023 by Akhtar and producer Ritesh Sidhwani of Excel Entertainment. Kiara Advani joins as the female lead, stepping into a role fans associate with Priyanka Chopra’s fierce Roma. While earlier buzz hinted at a January 2025 start, delays crept in as Akhtar juggled directing with his acting gig in 120 Bahadur, a war drama about Major Shaitan Singh PVC, now in production. Ranveer’s own whirlwind year—welcoming a daughter with Deepika Padukone in September 2024 and tackling other shoots—pushed the timeline, but Akhtar’s latest word locks it in for 2025, with May-June floated as a possible window.

The film promises the franchise’s trademark slick action and global flair, with the UK among scouted locations. Pre-production is underway, though the antagonist’s identity—a staple of Don intrigue—remains under wraps. Fans are split, some buzzing over Ranveer’s energy, others nostalgic for SRK’s suave reign. After 120 Bahadur wraps, Akhtar’s focus will shift fully to this high-stakes sequel.