PremiumFarhan Akhtar on reactions to the casting of Ranveer Singh in Don 3: We went through the same emotional process when Shah Rukh Khan did it
Farhan Akhtar also said that Ranveer Singh is great for the part.
Last Updated: 11.04 AM, Aug 16, 2023
Since Don 3 was announced, the Internet has been divided over the casting of Ranveer Singh in the titular role. Some are saying that the actor will bring a fresh perspective to the franchise, while many expressed displeasure with Shah Rukh Khan getting replaced in the third instalment. Now, Farhan Akhtar, who is helming Don 3, broke his silence on the reactions and the casting of Ranveer.
During an interaction with the BBC Asian Network, the filmmaker-actor stated, "I’m just really looking forward to getting it going. I mean, Ranveer is amazing. He’s great for the part. He’s also, as you can imagine, really excited and really nervous about the thing you’re filling some big shoes with. But we went through the same emotional process when Shah Rukh did it, and everyone was like, ‘Oh my God, how can you replace Mr. Bachchan?' That whole thing happened then."
On zeroing in on Ranveer as the new Don, Farhan went on to say, "It really is about an actor coming in and owning the part and making it really like, giving it their style and their flair. And he has that in spades. So he’s going to do a great job. I think the responsibility is more mine now to make sure that the script and the film work out the way I imagine."
Earlier, while talking about taking on Don, Ranveer wrote on his Instagram page, "As a child, I fell in love with the movies, and like the rest of us, I watched and worshipped Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan—the two G.O.A.Ts of Hindi Cinema. I dreamed of growing up to be like them. They are the very reason I wanted to become an actor and a ‘hindi film hero’. Their impact and influence on my life cannot be overstated. They’ve shaped the person and actor that I am. Taking their legacy forward is a manifestation of my childhood dream."
Don 3 is set to hit the big screen in 2025.