Mumbai | January 18, 2026
The highly awaited Don 3 has taken a dramatic turn. After months of speculation, industry insiders confirm that Shah Rukh Khan is ready to return to the iconic franchise — but only on one condition: Atlee must direct the film instead of Farhan Akhtar.
Sources reveal that SRK placed this condition firmly after the massive success of Atlee’s “Jawan”, believing the director can elevate the scale, visual appeal, and mass entertainment quotient of Don 3.
Why Shah Rukh Khan Was Replaced Earlier
Farhan Akhtar had originally planned to direct Don 3 himself, which led to the decision to cast Ranveer Singh in place of Shah Rukh Khan.
But the plan backfired.
According to insiders, SRK refused to return unless Atlee helmed the project. With the franchise losing both Ranveer Singh and Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar had little option but to reapproach Shah Rukh Khan.
Ranveer Singh and Hrithik Roshan Exit Don 3
Ranveer Singh’s exit reportedly came after the historic box-office performance of his film “Dhurandhar”, which grossed between ₹1000–2000 crore. His priorities shifted, and:
He did not want to continue playing a gangster-style character back-to-back
He feared comparisons with Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, earlier “Don” actors
He wanted to avoid unnecessary trolling
Similarly, Hrithik Roshan also backed out, leaving the franchise direction uncertain.
Farhan Akhtar Faces Tough Road, Returns to SRK
With multiple actors stepping away, Farhan Akhtar was forced to return to the original face of the franchise — Shah Rukh Khan.
However, SRK remains firm: he will do Don 3 only if Atlee directs it.
Industry sources say this is currently the biggest point of discussion between SRK and Farhan.
Why SRK Wants Atlee
Shah Rukh Khan believes Atlee’s presence will take Don 3 to massive scale.
Reasons include:
Atlee’s proven track record with blockbusters
His mastery in making mass-appeal, high-octane entertainers
The enormous success of “Jawan”, which became one of SRK’s biggest hits
Who Is Atlee? (Director Profile)
Debuted in 2013 with Raja Rani — a major success
Blockbusters with Vijay:
Theri (2016)
Mersal (2017)
Bigil (2019)
Bollywood debut with Shah Rukh Khan’s “Jawan” (2023), a mega-hit
Known for large-scale sets, emotional drama, and high-impact action
If Atlee signs on, Don 3 could become one of Bollywood’s biggest cinematic events in years.
