Ranveer Singh Exits Don 3 for Zombie Thriller ‘Pralay’

New Delhi, December 24, 2025: In a surprising turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Bollywood, Ranveer Singh has reportedly walked out of Farhan Akhtar’s highly anticipated Don 3. The news comes at a time when Ranveer is basking in the unprecedented glory of his latest release, Dhurandhar, which has rewritten box office history.

The Dhurandhar Effect

Ranveer Singh’s recent spy thriller, Dhurandhar (directed by Aditya Dhar), has emerged as a titan at the box office. As of late December 2025, the film has crossed the ₹850 crore mark worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Indian film of the year.

Industry insiders suggest that this massive success has prompted Ranveer to rethink his career trajectory. Having just delivered a definitive performance in a high-octane action space, the actor is reportedly hesitant to jump into another “gangster-centric” franchise like Don immediately. He is keen to avoid being typecast and wants to explore diverse genres while his stardom is at its peak.

Shifting Focus: The Rise of Pralay

With Don 3 now in the rearview mirror, Ranveer is fast-tracking a project that promises to be a first for Indian cinema. He is prioritizing a zombie-themed thriller tentatively titled “Pralay.“

Key Details of Pralay:

• Director: Jai Mehta (of Scam 1992 and Lootere fame).
• Genre: Post-apocalyptic zombie thriller.
• The Plot: A high-stakes human drama centered on a man’s desperate struggle to save his family amidst a global collapse.
• Vision: The film aims to rival international standards, with reports indicating that parts of Mumbai will be digitally reimagined as a dystopian wasteland.

Ranveer is reportedly so invested in this project that he has asked the producers at Applause Entertainment to prepone the filming schedule, aiming to take it on floors much earlier than planned.

What Happens to Don 3?

The exit of Ranveer Singh leaves the Don franchise in a precarious position. Farhan Akhtar had officially passed the baton to Ranveer after Shah Rukh Khan moved on from the role. While Kriti Sanon (who reportedly replaced Kiara Advani) remains attached to the project, the search for a new “Don” is back on.

Reports suggest the producers are still aiming for a January 2026 start, but without a leading man, the project may face significant delays.

“Ranveer is very clear about the kind of cinema he wants to represent now. He wants to collaborate with visionaries like Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Lokesh Kanagaraj, and Atlee, focusing on fresh concepts rather than established tropes.” — Industry Source

Final Thoughts

Ranveer Singh’s decision marks a bold “quality over franchise” approach. By stepping away from a guaranteed blockbuster like Don 3 to pursue an experimental genre like a zombie thriller, he is signaling a new era in his career—one defined by creative risk and global ambition.